24
MedicineAncient viruses in human DNA may help fight cancer...
Posted April 16, 2023 by Femina in STEM

Interesting... : https://news.sky.com/story/ancient-viruses-in-human-dna-help-fight-cancer-scientists-say-12857590

So the human DNA has viruses sleeping inside of it... We all carry this dormant virus in us... And it can be awaken and be used to help us it seems...

Pretty interesting to think about how we all are born with disease sleeping inside of us...

2 comments

VestalVirginApril 16, 2023(Edited April 16, 2023)

The fact that viruses can work themselves into DNA is often cited as justification for gene manipulation, which works similarly.

Somehow, viruses can't suddenly make plants poisonous that never were poisonous before, or in ways they never were poisonous before. (While genetic engineering has created a potato that produces lily of the valley poison, which is very, very, very different from natural potato poison.)

I personally find genetic engineering quite creepy ... and also find that thing about viruses creepy.

Though if it can fight cancer ... good, I guess.

MamaGeeApril 16, 2023

This is fascinating in the same way that some defenses that people genetically developed have worked against them over the eons. Like supposedly the gene that causes sickle cell disease. Carrying one copy of this gene provided individuals with some protection against malaria.