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I saw a show on PBS about people who are immune to AIDS. There is a genetic ... mutation, or variation, or something along those lines in the CCR5 gene called, delta 32. The theory is that people with this gene "mutation" (though I don't see how a mutation that makes a person immune to AIDS and possible the black plague can be called a mutation ... more like a variant) was what made some people immune to the black plague of olde Europa. This Delta 32 blocks certain viruses and bacteria from killing the white blood cells, thus the body is capable of fighting back and killing the diesease.
They did tests on decendants of black plague survivors and found that many did have the Delta 32 mutation. It has also been shown in some tests that people with Delta 32 are in fact immune to AIDS. The PBS show interviewed a homosexual man who had all of his partner back in the 80's die from AIDS, yet he lived. He has the Delta 32 mutation.
The PBS article is here:
Nature.com has an article online regarding this research, but it's locked behind a $30 pruchase fee, and BugMeNot does no good.
Anyway, the research is fairly new, and as such is still up to review and critism. The theory is that since the Scandinavian nations were hit hardest by the black plague, estimates are around 33%-50% of the population in Norway and Sweden died from it, that a large portion of those who survived either lived farther inland or had this Delta 32 mutation. Thus Scandinavia, being decendants of a high Delta 32 population, would be more "immune" to aids than others... or so the theory goes.
Jammrock
They did tests on decendants of black plague survivors and found that many did have the Delta 32 mutation. It has also been shown in some tests that people with Delta 32 are in fact immune to AIDS. The PBS show interviewed a homosexual man who had all of his partner back in the 80's die from AIDS, yet he lived. He has the Delta 32 mutation.
The PBS article is here:
Nature.com has an article online regarding this research, but it's locked behind a $30 pruchase fee, and BugMeNot does no good.
Anyway, the research is fairly new, and as such is still up to review and critism. The theory is that since the Scandinavian nations were hit hardest by the black plague, estimates are around 33%-50% of the population in Norway and Sweden died from it, that a large portion of those who survived either lived farther inland or had this Delta 32 mutation. Thus Scandinavia, being decendants of a high Delta 32 population, would be more "immune" to aids than others... or so the theory goes.
Jammrock
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