Why no one is immune to HIV and why I was wrong
I recently released a video called ‘5 Interesting Science Facts #1 – HIV, Chernobyl and Margaret Thatcher‘ in which I stated that around 10% of Europeans are immune to HIV. This was the first of a series of videos I planned to produce covering a wide range of interesting science facts. What is extremely embarrassing is that the first fact in my fact based video is actually incorrect. I said that Europeans have this immunity because they carry a mutation know as CCR5-delta 32 that inhibits the CCR5 cellular receptor used to gain accesses to the immune system by HIV and other diseases. First it is true that on average that 10% of Europeans carry this gene, most only carry one copy (Heterozygosity) with only 1% of the populating carrying two copies (Homozygosity). Having only one copy of the mutant gene will provide resistance to HIV and significantly slow disease progression. Having two copies of the gene makes you immune to HIV but only to the CCR5 strain (which is the majority of HIV) but you are still susceptible to other variations, such as CXCR4. Apologies for making this mistake but if you replace the word immunity with resistance then the video kinda works.
Takes a strong person to admit a mistake. Also makes me feel like I can actually trust what you say given that if you find out you’re wrong you’ll correct yourself and not just be pig-headed about it unlike a LOT of people on the interwebs. Good on ya Myles :D
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