| February 5, 1999 |
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Calvin College Chimes
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Team of scientists discovers origin of HIV Dr. David Koetje One remarkable thing molecular biologists have learned over the past two decades is that at the cellular level organisms as diverse as plants and animals share many common features. Our bodies are made up of millions of interacting cells. These cells all use similar mechanisms to integrate hundreds of external and internal cues in deciding which of the thousands of genes found in our chromosomes to turn on and which to turn off. Our cells are also surrounded by a membrane barrier with “gatekeeper” proteins which regulate the movement of various molecules across it. If the cell is to survive, these proteins must take in dozens of food and signal molecules and keep out hundreds of potential invaders (such as viruses). Occasionally, things in the body go wrong. Our molecular machinery makes mistakes. Some of those mistakes lead to mutations -- permanent genetic changes. Mutations are also caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet light. Once in a great while, a mutation fundamentally alters the function of molecules, cells, and organisms. In the case of HIV, such mutations are thought to be the reason why this virus was able to spread to a new host, humans, by getting into white blood cells via one of the “gatekeeper” proteins. What we have not known with certainty, until now, is from which previous host did this infection spread. Since the earliest cases of AIDS were detected in Africa, this was a logical place to start looking. Within a few years, scientists detected similar viruses (SIVs) in monkeys and chimps, although these infections do not develop into AIDS. Now, by comparing “DNA fingerprints” of HIV and SIV gene sequences from dozens of isolates across the globe, researchers have finally identified the HIV-SIV link. Humans apparently can become infected with HIV via direct contact with blood or meat of chimps infected with a mutant form of SIV. How do we respond to this as a Christian community? First of all, we should affirm a statement in a recent New York Times article that “precisely why the AIDS epidemic came when it did is not known.” We should guard against callous preaching that AIDS is the direct result of divine retribution on modern sexual promiscuity. This research suggests that the first HIV infections occurred in the 1940s or earlier, long before the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s. God is surely angry with sin, but has he not charged us with the task of spreading the good news of salvation in Jesus? Those suffering from HIV infection don’t need our contempt. Second, we should heed the alarm in this article that human activities (overhunting and habitat destruction) are forcing this chimp species to “the brink of extinction.” Studying this chimp species may open new insights into our understanding of AIDS. Even more importantly, protecting these chimps and their habitats is a critical ministry of Christian stewardship. Such protection would affirm their position as God’s invaluable creation. Would our intervention also force us to deal more closely with the social-economic plight of African nations? Finally, when we are frightened by the threat of another disease pandemic looming on the horizon, we can rest assured in the promises of God. The one who called everything into being continues to uphold all his creatures, “so that not a hair can fall from our heads without the will of our heavenly Father.” |