Of all the theories on the origin of AIDS presented in class so far, I feel the most plausible is the “colonization theory”, on which author Jim Moore elaborates in a 2000 edition journal called AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. In this publishing he explores the possibility of HIV having been transmitted through large colonization efforts by the French in Africa, where many Africans were forced to work in labor camps under harsh, unsanitary conditions. This scenario opens a door to many possibilities for how the disease could have emerged, and, seeing as much a lot of evidence exists that indicates HIV came from SIV in chimps, most (if not all) of them seem fairly believable!
In contrast, the theory that seems least plausible to me would probably be either the “conspiracy theory” or the “oral Polio vaccine (OPV)” theory. The OPV theory makes some interesting points, but at the same time it has yet to be proven and because of this seems a little far-fetched. Similarly, I have a hard time believing that one of the world’s most powerful governments has fabricated a virus like HIV just to attack minority groups. Wouldn’t it make sense that any group as powerful and advanced as the CIA would probably be smart enough to realize the virus would have potential to spread to people outside of the targeted groups and, hence, put everyone else in danger, too? Over anything else, the conspiracy theory seems to be just another wild idea sprouted from racial groups that have been oppressed in one way or another. Apparently, we as humans tend to play the “blame-game” a little too often for our own good.
In any case, I feel it is important for us to get to the bottom of all this. If we stand any chance in eradicating HIV/AIDS in the future, we first need to understand the disease in its entirety, including where and how it originated. Once the history of it is revealed, we will not only be able to move forward in finding a cure, but might even be able to prevent similar diseases from emerging in the future.
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I agree that the colonization theory seems the most plausible. It combines the contaminated needle theory and hunter theory, and it throws in unsanitary conditions coupled with poor health that would further promote transmittance of the virus. I also think that the conspiracy theory is a little much... as well as the oral polio vaccine theory, since a phial of the original vaccine didn't show traces of the virus and the monkey kidney cells used couldn't be infected by it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the conspiracy theory is BS. That's probably why it's called the conspiracy theory. But you said,"the conspiracy theory seems to be just another wild idea sprouted from racial groups that have been oppressed in one way or another." Yes it is a wild idea, but I think we have to realize that they do have somewhat of a reason for so much distrust in the US government, especially after Tuskegee.
ReplyDeleteI also agreed that the Colonization Theory is one of the most plausible of theories. There is enough evidence to see that SIV in chimps is how HIV began in humans. I also think the poor sanitation played a very huge role. Having reused syringes if awful. It seems like common sense now in the 21st century to have sterile needles. There just seemed to be so many ways HIV had started to spread. Through prostitution, needles, and poor health. It is every unfortunate. Nice insight on the blog, I liked all the detail!
ReplyDeleteThe conspiracy theory does seem so farfetched! Why would any organization create something so uncontrollable. It is evident that no matter the race, HIV can be transmitted. I doubt anyone would allow for something as unreliable/uncontrollable as HIV to wipe out a race.