Human Beings 2.0

HIV is a new human disease with an extraordinary back story. A global pandemic, with approximately 39 million deaths to date, resulted from a single event when one human was infected with an animal virus. From invariably fatal, HIV is now considered a chronic treatable condition with normal life expectancy. I will review the expanding repertoire of highly-effective drugs which can reverse and prevent immunosuppression in HIV and are increasingly used to prevent HIV infection. I will also discuss the human gene CCR5 and its importance in recent developments in HIV cure and prevention.

CRISPR gene editing allows scientists to scan an individual’s complete genome, cut the DNA and delete, insert or repair parts of the genetic code. A scientist recently came under fire for using this technology in an attempt to engineer babies immune to HIV infection. Genome editing is an exciting new technology, with huge potential to transform human health. But with big potential comes big controversy: just because we can edit someone’s DNA, should we? In this short talk I will set up the ethical debate, reflecting on the current status of the controversy morally, socially and scientifically.