The Virus in Your Genes
Normally, the genes of endogenous retroviruses remain dormant, but—a bit like a computer virus that springs into action on a trigger—something wakes them up sometimes, and actual viruses are made from them, which then infect other cells in the body. The Danish scientists suggest that this is what happens in multiple sclerosis.
More from Matt Ridley in The Wall Street Journal.
I’m not sure what to make of this.
The exchange of genetic material between organisms and species is an important discovery of recent years. It partly explains how evolution has worked as quickly as it has. Thus, as this article says, “the human genome contains more retroviral than “human” genes: some 5% to 8% of the entire genome.”
Viruses are not only parasites utilizing cellular life forms to reproduces, but also are mechanisms by which beneficial changes occur in species.
In the genes??
Perhaps this discovery will bring us closer to helping those who suffer from MS.
Incredible theory!
Genetic science/decoding the genes, etc. may help medical science prevent endogenous retroviruses from waking up.