HIV and Chimpanzees? May 2007

In the last couple of months, the debate about the origins of the HI-virus were rekindled by the publishing of reports of a study by Dr Paul Sharpe and other researchers from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, from the University of Montpellier and the University of Nottingham.

Medpage first reported from the CROI conference in February “CROI: Origins of HIV Traced to Chimps in Cameroon” “After a 15-year quest, scientists believe that they have finally tracked the origins of HIV to a troop of chimpanzees living in a remote corner of Cameroon, near the border of Gabon and the Congo Republic, in West Central Africa” Read the full article.

The New York Times said “Chimp Virus Is Linked to H.I.V”. “By studying chimpanzee droppings in remote African jungles, scientists reported yesterday, they have found direct evidence of a missing link between a chimpanzee virus and the one that causes human AIDS.” Read the full article.

The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report said “Scientists Confirm That HIV Originated in Wild Chimpanzees, Study Says” “Scientists on Thursday in a study published in the online edition of the journal Science confirmed that HIV originated in wild chimpanzees and likely crossed over into humans in Cameroon, the New York Times reports (Altman, New York Times, 5/26). Scientists for many years believed that HIV evolved from a similar virus called simian immunodeficiency virus that is found in chimpanzees, but until now that virus had been found only in chimpanzees in captivity (Xinhuanet, 5/26).” Read the article. 

In South Africa, the Mail and Guardian Online reported “Scientists trace origin of HIV to Cameroon”. The article begins “Scientists searching for the origin of HIV, the global pandemic infecting more than 40-million people, believe they have finally tracked its original source to two colonies of chimpanzees in a corner of Cameroon”. Read the article. 

The scientific article to which most of these reports refer,as well as some comments are available from Haart4Africa. 

As is usual in scientific debate, other scientists were quick to comment on this research, and in some cases, to differ from the findings. Edward Hooper, a proponent of the "oral polio vaccine" theory, said "Much of this new information is important and valuable. However, much of the accompanying analysis is exaggerated, and not for the first time seems to be driven by an underlying desire on the part of the authors to bolster the bushmeat theory…". You can read his opinion.

How should non-scientists respond to these differing opinions?

When one really thinks about it, arguments about the origins of the virus add very little to general prevention and care efforts. The origin of HIV is really only important to researchers who hope to use this research in understanding more about the virus and finding ways of treating those living with the virus and preventing infection.

If you follow the debate as a matter of interest, it can do no harm. Arguments about the origin of the virus can however draw attention away from the challenges facing us all.

In the CABSA Channels of Hope workshop, the following example is often used:

Imagine that you enter a room and see your child faced by a dangerous snake. What would your response be?

1. Would you start wondering where the snake came from (wonder about the ‘origin’ of the danger), or
2. Would you react as quickly as possible to get your child out of harm’s way (deal with the reality of the situation)?

Let us not get caught up in arguments that cause us to loose sight of the needs around us!