Researchers at Oxford University and Plymouth University are tracking the
genetic data from Neanderthals and Denisovans to the modern-day cancer patient
to find evidence of viruses in the DNA. This virus could have originated in our
DNA half a million years ago. This could further the investigation of links between ancient viruses and diseases
like HIV and cancer. Around 8 % of the DNA is made of endogenous retroviruses.
This part of the 90% of DNA has no known function and is called “junk” DNA.
They don’t believe this is junk, though in some cases two junk viruses can
combine and cause disease.
They are now looking into the HML2 family of viruses, for links to cancer
and HIV. HML2 is related to how fast
AIDS will progress. Some of the risk factors are genetic and may be shared with
HML2. They expect that there is no negative effect of all these viruses in the
Modern population and they are spread throughout the world. They believe that
viruses that are inactive indicate that they increase mortality by increased
cancer risk.
By learning about the
past we have found many things we have
to change. If we can learn about the ancient virus to save millions from HIV
and cancer it could make the world a better place, but for any solution we
provide, a new challenge will appear.
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