What can beat AIDS? AIDS!

[Newby]

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/07/0240258&from=rss

[BigAznDaddy]

hmmmm that doesn't sound too safe. 

[Joe]

It's just as safe as a hepititus vaccine. I can tell you I've been vaccinated for it, like 20 (exageration) shots over the period of two years, and as far as I know I haven't died yet.

[Sidoh]

It's just as safe as a hepititus vaccine. I can tell you I've been vaccinated for it, like 20 (exageration) shots over the period of two years, and as far as I know I haven't died yet.

You can't say that beyond any form of speculation.  They've tested it on five people.  That hardly allows anyone to deem it as "safe."  That's why its still in testing.  If it worked miracles, they wouldn't continue testing it.

[iago]

Incidentally, this isn't an ordinary vaccine, like your hepepatitus shots (or other vaccinations we get).  If you read the article, it says that they genetically engineered a strain of AIDS that can fight other AIDS viruses. 

[Sidoh]

Incidentally, this isn't an ordinary vaccine, like your hepepatitus shots (or other vaccinations we get).  If you read the article, it says that they genetically engineered a strain of AIDS that can fight other AIDS viruses. 

Exactly the other reason I was saving up for the potential debate (it'd be short lived, I hope!).

[MyndFyre]

hmmmm that doesn't sound too safe. 

In Star Trek: Voyager, they used Borg nanoprobes to fight off a virus at least once.

[iago]

hmmmm that doesn't sound too safe. 

In Star Trek: Voyager, they used Borg nanoprobes to fight off a virus at least once.

Borg nanoprobes were like a Deus Ex Machina -- when there's no hope left, they can reprogram nanoprobes to do anything.  Medicine, weapon, etc.

[AntiVirus]

This makes perfect sense.  I just hope that it works out well.

[Sidoh]

They could make up some bogas treatment for cancer that makes perfect sense to the uneducated person; that doesn't mean it's going to work or that it's even a viable proposal for a treatment.

I think you should treat AIDS, AntiVirus.

[rabbit]

Well, if genetically altered AIDS can fight AIDS, why can't it fight cancer too?

[Joe]

Incidentally, this isn't an ordinary vaccine, like your hepepatitus shots (or other vaccinations we get).  If you read the article, it says that they genetically engineered a strain of AIDS that can fight other AIDS viruses. 

Oh. I was going to assume the opposite in counter to Sidoh's post, but I guess I'm wrong. Oops!

[iago]

Well, if genetically altered AIDS can fight AIDS, why can't it fight cancer too?

Well, the first reason that comes to mind is that cancer isn't a virus, so it would be completely different. 

The second reason is probably because of how it's made, it's likely very special-purpose..

[Sidoh]

Well, if genetically altered AIDS can fight AIDS, why can't it fight cancer too?

Exactly as iago said: cancer isn't a virus.  It's a strain of cells that have mutated in such a way that the mechanism which "aborts" duplication during mitosis if any genetic mutation is "detected" is dysfunctional.

[Armin]

Incidentally, this isn't an ordinary vaccine, like your hepepatitus shots (or other vaccinations we get).  If you read the article, it says that they genetically engineered a strain of AIDS that can fight other AIDS viruses. 

I wouldn't really even consider it a vaccine. A vaccine prevents disease while an antidote cures a disease.