Could bone marrow transplants be the answer to HIV? We continue to hope and researchers continue to work on finding the cure for HIV. The HIV epidemic continues in the United States prompting President Obama’s recent strategy on fighting it. 56,000 people become infected in the US every year and over 1.1 million Americans are living with the disease. Attempts to provide clean needles and condoms are just not cutting it. Without the motivation and inspiration of dedicated researchers and bold attempts to find solutions the epidemic will continue. 
Naysayers who point out that new research hasn’t found the cure aren’t looking at it from the right angle.
In Berlin last year, scientists transplanted a patient with HIV-resistant bone marrow and claim that he is now cured of HIV. Doctors in Texas will attempt a similar procedure by using donated umbilical cord blood that has been screened for the HIV-resistant gene. Due to the great risk of a bone marrow transplant this isn’t a solution for those with only HIV, but could be effective for those with leukemia that will die without the transplant. HIV tests to let those with the disease know so that they are less likely to spread the disease is one of the strategies identified in the National HIV Strategy, as well as calling on all parts of our society, including the scientific and medical community, to participate in reducing the spread and caring for those who are infected. This new study can invigorate the research to continue the search for a cure and motivate the scientific community. Let’s applaud their efforts, not point out that they haven’t gone far enough.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com