July 16, 2008

Genetics May Make Africans More Vulnerable to HIV

A genetic variation that protects people of African descent from a strain of malaria may also increase their risk of HIV infection by 40 percent, The Wall Street Journal reports (wsj.com, 7/16).

According to the article, a five-year study conducted by U.S. and U.K. researchers focused on a gene that encodes for a protein called the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines, which is found on the surface of red blood cells. Researchers speculate that this Duffy protein can soak up HIV particles and protect cells from infection.

The WSJ adds that people with a variation of this gene—including 90 percent of people in Africa and 60 percent of African Americans—don’t carry this protein, increasing their risk for HIV transmission.

“It helps to explain why HIV is so prevalent in Africa,” said study co-author Robin Weiss, a virologist at University College London. “Most Africans have a slight genetic bias to being more susceptible.”

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Previous Comments:

yusef, Ohio, 2008-07-29 12:39:42
Which plays a bit into the believe by a large segment of the afro American population that aids is man made and was made to target the African population but got out of control.

KJ, Atlanta, 2008-07-24 14:32:16
I don't believe the article is saying that HIV/AIDS is not a crisis in countries such as India, China and Russia. The article, and the summation of the study, suggest that there is a genetic predisposition to HIV/AIDS. I find this information interesting and am hopeful that more researchers will pursue this possibility. If there is a genetic predisposition it is to everyone's benefit that it be understood and considered as efforts to develop a preventative agent or cure for HIV/AIDS.

Thomas, , 2008-07-24 12:10:03
This is laughable!! Africans, African-Americans are no more susceptible that anyone else. Have unprotected sex with an infected person, share an infected needle, you get the virus. It's that simple. HIV/AIDS crosses all boundaries, including race and class. HIV/AIDS is a crisis in not only Africa, but India, China and Russia as well.

living42day, , 2008-07-23 22:16:47
I agree there has to be some reason why we Africans and we of African decent seem to contract the virus at a higher rate. But it is much more to it than that. I feel that it was designed with the idea in mind to attack people with certain gene makeups. HIV and AIDS did not just come from nowhere.