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HIV – Curing the Incurable | Daniel Aaron Donahue | TEDxTUM


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I’d like you to remember the number 57

I’d like you to remember the number 57 without in mind I’d like to talk about

without in mind I’d like to talk about

without in mind I’d like to talk about HIV and AIDS there are now 37 million

HIV and AIDS there are now 37 million

HIV and AIDS there are now 37 million people living with HIV and well only

people living with HIV and well only

people living with HIV and well only half of them have access to life-saving

half of them have access to life-saving

half of them have access to life-saving treatment that proportion continues to

treatment that proportion continues to

treatment that proportion continues to rise every single year

rise every single year

rise every single year modern HIV medication means that you can

modern HIV medication means that you can

modern HIV medication means that you can live an almost full lifespan with the

live an almost full lifespan with the

live an almost full lifespan with the virus a far cry from the virtual death

virus a far cry from the virtual death

virus a far cry from the virtual death sentence three decades ago yet the virus

sentence three decades ago yet the virus

sentence three decades ago yet the virus continues to spread infecting nearly 2

continues to spread infecting nearly 2

continues to spread infecting nearly 2 million people last year that’s more

million people last year that’s more

million people last year that’s more than 3 new infections every minute and

than 3 new infections every minute and

than 3 new infections every minute and of course it’s no longer than 1980s or

of course it’s no longer than 1980s or

of course it’s no longer than 1980s or 1990s and yet shamefully stigma and

1990s and yet shamefully stigma and

1990s and yet shamefully stigma and discrimination still surround HIV and

discrimination still surround HIV and

discrimination still surround HIV and AIDS there are myths and inaccurate

AIDS there are myths and inaccurate

AIDS there are myths and inaccurate perceptions about who gets HIV or how

perceptions about who gets HIV or how

perceptions about who gets HIV or how the virus can be transmitted and that

the virus can be transmitted and that

the virus can be transmitted and that can have a major impact on the lives of

can have a major impact on the lives of

can have a major impact on the lives of people living with HIV from being

people living with HIV from being

people living with HIV from being excluded from social or family

excluded from social or family

excluded from social or family activities to being denied health care

activities to being denied health care

activities to being denied health care services in fact the World Health

services in fact the World Health

services in fact the World Health Organization says that fear of stigma

Organization says that fear of stigma

Organization says that fear of stigma and discrimination is the number one

and discrimination is the number one

and discrimination is the number one cause of people being afraid to be

cause of people being afraid to be

cause of people being afraid to be tested for HIV of telling others about

tested for HIV of telling others about

tested for HIV of telling others about their status and of starting to take

their status and of starting to take

their status and of starting to take treatment that means they can go

treatment that means they can go

treatment that means they can go untreated or start treatment too late

untreated or start treatment too late

untreated or start treatment too late putting their own health at risk and

putting their own health at risk and

putting their own health at risk and increasing the chance that they might

increasing the chance that they might

increasing the chance that they might transmit the virus to someone else so

transmit the virus to someone else so

transmit the virus to someone else so even though effective treatment already

even though effective treatment already

even though effective treatment already exists the virus continues to spread and

exists the virus continues to spread and

exists the virus continues to spread and people still face stigma and

people still face stigma and

people still face stigma and discrimination what can be done about

discrimination what can be done about

discrimination what can be done about this imagine if we could cure HIV

this imagine if we could cure HIV

this imagine if we could cure HIV imagine if we could transform this

imagine if we could transform this

imagine if we could transform this lifelong infection into a temporary

lifelong infection into a temporary

lifelong infection into a temporary ailment

ailment

ailment an HIV cure would free individuals from

an HIV cure would free individuals from

an HIV cure would free individuals from a lifetime of infection and treatment

a lifetime of infection and treatment

a lifetime of infection and treatment and it would free society from a major

and it would free society from a major

and it would free society from a major medical and financial burden as people

medical and financial burden as people

medical and financial burden as people learned that HIV is something you can

learned that HIV is something you can

learned that HIV is something you can get rid of stigma and discrimination

get rid of stigma and discrimination

get rid of stigma and discrimination would begin to disappear and that means

would begin to disappear and that means

would begin to disappear and that means people would be more likely to seek

people would be more likely to seek

people would be more likely to seek testing and treatment and there are now

testing and treatment and there are now

testing and treatment and there are now thousands of scientists and others

thousands of scientists and others

thousands of scientists and others around the world hard at work trying to

around the world hard at work trying to

around the world hard at work trying to develop a cure for HIV I’ve been

develop a cure for HIV I’ve been

develop a cure for HIV I’ve been fascinated by viruses since I was a

fascinated by viruses since I was a

fascinated by viruses since I was a teenager and I read the hot zone which

teenager and I read the hot zone which

teenager and I read the hot zone which tells the story of an Ebola outbreak and

tells the story of an Ebola outbreak and

tells the story of an Ebola outbreak and the search for the origins of Ebola in

the search for the origins of Ebola in

the search for the origins of Ebola in the rainforests of Eastern Africa when I

the rainforests of Eastern Africa when I

the rainforests of Eastern Africa when I started University I wanted to get

started University I wanted to get

started University I wanted to get involved in biomedical research that

involved in biomedical research that

involved in biomedical research that might one day have an impact on people’s

might one day have an impact on people’s

might one day have an impact on people’s lives no matter how small I also wanted

lives no matter how small I also wanted

lives no matter how small I also wanted to work on something that was a little

to work on something that was a little

to work on something that was a little bit less scary than Ebola when I started

bit less scary than Ebola when I started

bit less scary than Ebola when I started my graduate studies in Montreal I joined

my graduate studies in Montreal I joined

my graduate studies in Montreal I joined the lab of dr. mark Weinberger an AIDS

the lab of dr. mark Weinberger an AIDS

the lab of dr. mark Weinberger an AIDS activist and pioneer of HIV research who

activist and pioneer of HIV research who

activist and pioneer of HIV research who sadly passed away earlier this year

sadly passed away earlier this year

sadly passed away earlier this year during my first project in his lab we

during my first project in his lab we

during my first project in his lab we studied a new type of drug that was able

studied a new type of drug that was able

studied a new type of drug that was able to stop HIV from inserting its DNA into

to stop HIV from inserting its DNA into

to stop HIV from inserting its DNA into the cells own DNA so we helped explain

the cells own DNA so we helped explain

the cells own DNA so we helped explain why this drug was even more effective

why this drug was even more effective

why this drug was even more effective than anticipated when it was first used

than anticipated when it was first used

than anticipated when it was first used in the clinic I then switched gears to a

in the clinic I then switched gears to a

in the clinic I then switched gears to a proof-of-concept HIV cure project we

proof-of-concept HIV cure project we

proof-of-concept HIV cure project we took a small component of the virus

took a small component of the virus

took a small component of the virus manipulated it in the lab and used it as

manipulated it in the lab and used it as

manipulated it in the lab and used it as a weapon against the virus to stop it

a weapon against the virus to stop it

a weapon against the virus to stop it from becoming dormant and this dormant

from becoming dormant and this dormant

from becoming dormant and this dormant virus is the key to curing HIV when I

virus is the key to curing HIV when I

virus is the key to curing HIV when I finished my PhD four years ago I moved

finished my PhD four years ago I moved

finished my PhD four years ago I moved to the Pasteur Institute in Paris where

to the Pasteur Institute in Paris where

to the Pasteur Institute in Paris where HIV was discovered in 1983 I’ve spent

HIV was discovered in 1983 I’ve spent

HIV was discovered in 1983 I’ve spent most of my time there trying to better

most of my time there trying to better

most of my time there trying to better understand the molecular details of what

understand the molecular details of what

understand the molecular details of what happens after HIV gets inside a cell

happens after HIV gets inside a cell

happens after HIV gets inside a cell for HIV to successfully infect a cell it

for HIV to successfully infect a cell it

for HIV to successfully infect a cell it must gain access to the nucleus where

must gain access to the nucleus where

must gain access to the nucleus where the cell’s chromosomes are found we

the cell’s chromosomes are found we

the cell’s chromosomes are found we uncovered a region of the virus that can

uncovered a region of the virus that can

uncovered a region of the virus that can be targeted in the lab to stop it from

be targeted in the lab to stop it from

be targeted in the lab to stop it from getting into the nucleus this both

getting into the nucleus this both

getting into the nucleus this both prevents the cell from becoming infected

prevents the cell from becoming infected

prevents the cell from becoming infected and stops the virus from being able to

and stops the virus from being able to

and stops the virus from being able to become dormant I also helped set up an

become dormant I also helped set up an

become dormant I also helped set up an antibody based HIV cure project that my

antibody based HIV cure project that my

antibody based HIV cure project that my colleagues at Pasteur are working on you

colleagues at Pasteur are working on you

colleagues at Pasteur are working on you might be wondering why don’t we already

might be wondering why don’t we already

might be wondering why don’t we already have a cure for HIV why is the virus so

have a cure for HIV why is the virus so

have a cure for HIV why is the virus so hard to get rid of once you get it

HIV infects helper t-cells which are

HIV infects helper t-cells which are like the air traffic controllers of the

like the air traffic controllers of the

like the air traffic controllers of the immune system most of the time when a

immune system most of the time when a

immune system most of the time when a cell gets infected HIV will produce

cell gets infected HIV will produce

cell gets infected HIV will produce thousands of copies of itself before

thousands of copies of itself before

thousands of copies of itself before killing that cell and if too many helper

killing that cell and if too many helper

killing that cell and if too many helper t-cells have been killed there’s nothing

t-cells have been killed there’s nothing

t-cells have been killed there’s nothing left to control the immune system

left to control the immune system

left to control the immune system causing AIDS but a tiny fraction of

causing AIDS but a tiny fraction of

causing AIDS but a tiny fraction of helper t-cells around one and a million

helper t-cells around one and a million

helper t-cells around one and a million have dormant virus rather than

have dormant virus rather than

have dormant virus rather than replicating the HIV will insert its DNA

replicating the HIV will insert its DNA

replicating the HIV will insert its DNA into the cells own DNA but it won’t

into the cells own DNA but it won’t

into the cells own DNA but it won’t produce anything this dormant virus

produce anything this dormant virus

produce anything this dormant virus doesn’t harm the cell and it’s invisible

doesn’t harm the cell and it’s invisible

doesn’t harm the cell and it’s invisible to the immune system and to HIV

to the immune system and to HIV

to the immune system and to HIV medication well so what if the dormant

medication well so what if the dormant

medication well so what if the dormant virus is just a piece of DNA sitting

virus is just a piece of DNA sitting

virus is just a piece of DNA sitting there not doing it doing anything what’s

there not doing it doing anything what’s

there not doing it doing anything what’s the problem the problem is helper

the problem the problem is helper

the problem the problem is helper t-cells live as long as you do and

t-cells live as long as you do and

t-cells live as long as you do and months years even decades later the

months years even decades later the

months years even decades later the dormant virus can come out of hiding and

dormant virus can come out of hiding and

dormant virus can come out of hiding and start replicating which means that if

start replicating which means that if

start replicating which means that if you aren’t taking HIV medication it will

you aren’t taking HIV medication it will

you aren’t taking HIV medication it will spread throughout your body think of a

spread throughout your body think of a

spread throughout your body think of a fire that’s almost out but a spark

fire that’s almost out but a spark

fire that’s almost out but a spark escapes and ignites

escapes and ignites

escapes and ignites a forest fire this is why HIV is

a forest fire this is why HIV is

a forest fire this is why HIV is incurable today because of the dormant

incurable today because of the dormant

incurable today because of the dormant virus once you have HIV you have it for

virus once you have HIV you have it for

virus once you have HIV you have it for life

life

life so to cure HIV we need to get rid of all

so to cure HIV we need to get rid of all

so to cure HIV we need to get rid of all this dormant virus but that’s actually

this dormant virus but that’s actually

this dormant virus but that’s actually really difficult because the cells with

really difficult because the cells with

really difficult because the cells with the dormant virus are so rare and they

the dormant virus are so rare and they

the dormant virus are so rare and they look pretty much like other healthy

look pretty much like other healthy

look pretty much like other healthy cells it’s not even like looking for a

cells it’s not even like looking for a

cells it’s not even like looking for a needle in a haystack

needle in a haystack

needle in a haystack it’s almost like looking for one

it’s almost like looking for one

it’s almost like looking for one particular piece of hay in a haystack

Timothy Ray Brown also known as the

Timothy Ray Brown also known as the Berlin patient is the first and so far

Berlin patient is the first and so far

Berlin patient is the first and so far only person ever to be cured of HIV he

only person ever to be cured of HIV he

only person ever to be cured of HIV he had both HIV and cancer and ten years

had both HIV and cancer and ten years

had both HIV and cancer and ten years ago he underwent an intensive cancer

ago he underwent an intensive cancer

ago he underwent an intensive cancer treatment that his doctors in Berlin

treatment that his doctors in Berlin

treatment that his doctors in Berlin modified in the hopes of curing his HIV

modified in the hopes of curing his HIV

modified in the hopes of curing his HIV at the same time and while this was

at the same time and while this was

at the same time and while this was successful and it proves that it is

successful and it proves that it is

successful and it proves that it is possible to cure HIV the treatment that

possible to cure HIV the treatment that

possible to cure HIV the treatment that he underwent is extremely invasive and

he underwent is extremely invasive and

he underwent is extremely invasive and dangerous and can only be attempted in

dangerous and can only be attempted in

dangerous and can only be attempted in cases of life-threatening cancer a more

cases of life-threatening cancer a more

cases of life-threatening cancer a more widespread cure would require a

widespread cure would require a

widespread cure would require a completely different approach and I’d

completely different approach and I’d

completely different approach and I’d like to tell you about two of the most

like to tell you about two of the most

like to tell you about two of the most promising and fascinating approaches to

promising and fascinating approaches to

promising and fascinating approaches to curing HIV that are now being developed

curing HIV that are now being developed

curing HIV that are now being developed the first of these uses antibodies to

the first of these uses antibodies to

the first of these uses antibodies to kill the cells with dormant virus and

kill the cells with dormant virus and

kill the cells with dormant virus and this is work being done by scientists

this is work being done by scientists

this is work being done by scientists all around the world including my

all around the world including my

all around the world including my colleagues at Pasteur an antibody is a

colleagues at Pasteur an antibody is a

colleagues at Pasteur an antibody is a protein produced by the immune system

protein produced by the immune system

protein produced by the immune system that has a particular three-dimensional

that has a particular three-dimensional

that has a particular three-dimensional shape and electrical charge think of a

shape and electrical charge think of a

shape and electrical charge think of a mountain range where the peaks and

mountain range where the peaks and

mountain range where the peaks and valleys are overlaid with positive and

valleys are overlaid with positive and

valleys are overlaid with positive and negative electrical charges and a

negative electrical charges and a

negative electrical charges and a specific combination of Peaks valleys

specific combination of Peaks valleys

specific combination of Peaks valleys and charges gives the antibody the

and charges gives the antibody the

and charges gives the antibody the ability to recognize a particular target

ability to recognize a particular target

ability to recognize a particular target and to lock onto it like a magnet and

and to lock onto it like a magnet and

and to lock onto it like a magnet and that target could be cells that are

that target could be cells that are

that target could be cells that are infected with HIV everybody infected

infected with HIV everybody infected

infected with HIV everybody infected with HIV actually produces antibodies

with HIV actually produces antibodies

with HIV actually produces antibodies that recognize the virus but these are

that recognize the virus but these are

that recognize the virus but these are almost always too weak fortunately a few

almost always too weak fortunately a few

almost always too weak fortunately a few very rare HIV

very rare HIV

very rare HIV infected individuals produce

infected individuals produce

infected individuals produce exceptionally powerful antibodies and

exceptionally powerful antibodies and

exceptionally powerful antibodies and the genetic information from these

the genetic information from these

the genetic information from these people can be used to produce large

people can be used to produce large

people can be used to produce large amounts of these super antibodies in the

amounts of these super antibodies in the

amounts of these super antibodies in the lab and once in the lab these can even

lab and once in the lab these can even

lab and once in the lab these can even be engineered to become more powerful so

be engineered to become more powerful so

be engineered to become more powerful so let’s take a look at what actually

let’s take a look at what actually

let’s take a look at what actually happens when we try to cure HIV using

happens when we try to cure HIV using

happens when we try to cure HIV using these specially engineered super

these specially engineered super

these specially engineered super antibodies if somebody has HIV and we

antibodies if somebody has HIV and we

antibodies if somebody has HIV and we treat them with these antibodies well

treat them with these antibodies well

treat them with these antibodies well actually nothing happens

actually nothing happens

actually nothing happens remember the dormant virus doesn’t

remember the dormant virus doesn’t

remember the dormant virus doesn’t produce anything and the HIV medication

produce anything and the HIV medication

produce anything and the HIV medication this person is taking will stop other

this person is taking will stop other

this person is taking will stop other virus from replicating so there’s

virus from replicating so there’s

virus from replicating so there’s nothing for the antibodies to recognize

nothing for the antibodies to recognize

nothing for the antibodies to recognize they have no targets to lock on to what

they have no targets to lock on to what

they have no targets to lock on to what we first need to do is activate the

we first need to do is activate the

we first need to do is activate the dormant virus using special drugs that

dormant virus using special drugs that

dormant virus using special drugs that will force the DNA of the dormant virus

will force the DNA of the dormant virus

will force the DNA of the dormant virus to become active causing the virus to

to become active causing the virus to

to become active causing the virus to begin replicating and that will create

begin replicating and that will create

begin replicating and that will create targets for the antibodies so now we can

targets for the antibodies so now we can

targets for the antibodies so now we can come in and treat this person with super

come in and treat this person with super

come in and treat this person with super antibodies and these will recognize

antibodies and these will recognize

antibodies and these will recognize these will recognize these cells and

these will recognize these cells and

these will recognize these cells and lock on to them like powerful magnets

lock on to them like powerful magnets

lock on to them like powerful magnets and once logged on to their targets

and once logged on to their targets

and once logged on to their targets these antibodies will recruit other

these antibodies will recruit other

these antibodies will recruit other specialized killing cells of the immune

specialized killing cells of the immune

specialized killing cells of the immune system that act like assassins and these

system that act like assassins and these

system that act like assassins and these will seek out and destroy any cells that

will seek out and destroy any cells that

will seek out and destroy any cells that are covered with super antibodies so if

are covered with super antibodies so if

are covered with super antibodies so if we are able to activate all the dormant

we are able to activate all the dormant

we are able to activate all the dormant virus and if the super antibodies and

virus and if the super antibodies and

virus and if the super antibodies and the immune assassins are strong enough

the immune assassins are strong enough

the immune assassins are strong enough we can remove all the dormant virus from

we can remove all the dormant virus from

we can remove all the dormant virus from the body and here HIV we already know

the body and here HIV we already know

the body and here HIV we already know this works in principle in laboratory

this works in principle in laboratory

this works in principle in laboratory experiments and this is now in the very

experiments and this is now in the very

experiments and this is now in the very early stages of testing in clinical

early stages of testing in clinical

early stages of testing in clinical trials with hiv-positive volunteers so

trials with hiv-positive volunteers so

trials with hiv-positive volunteers so that’s how we might one day hope to cure

that’s how we might one day hope to cure

that’s how we might one day hope to cure HIV with antibodies but there’s another

HIV with antibodies but there’s another

HIV with antibodies but there’s another very different approach to curing HIV

very different approach to curing HIV

very different approach to curing HIV also being developed and it’s based on a

also being developed and it’s based on a

also being developed and it’s based on a powerful new technology called CRISPR

powerful new technology called CRISPR

powerful new technology called CRISPR the goal here is not to kill the cell

the goal here is not to kill the cell

the goal here is not to kill the cell with dormant virus but rather to

with dormant virus but rather to

with dormant virus but rather to directly remove the dormant virus

directly remove the dormant virus

directly remove the dormant virus without harming the cell

without harming the cell

without harming the cell CRISPR is a form of gene editing where

CRISPR is a form of gene editing where

CRISPR is a form of gene editing where special proteins act like molecular

special proteins act like molecular

special proteins act like molecular scissors to cut particular sequences of

scissors to cut particular sequences of

scissors to cut particular sequences of DNA gene editing is actually a pretty

DNA gene editing is actually a pretty

DNA gene editing is actually a pretty old technology as far as molecular

old technology as far as molecular

old technology as far as molecular biology goes it’s been around in the lab

biology goes it’s been around in the lab

biology goes it’s been around in the lab for a few decades

for a few decades

for a few decades but to edit DNA in living cells has

but to edit DNA in living cells has

but to edit DNA in living cells has traditionally been very cumbersome and

traditionally been very cumbersome and

traditionally been very cumbersome and labor-intensive

labor-intensive

labor-intensive it’s a little bit like learning to

it’s a little bit like learning to

it’s a little bit like learning to develop negatives in a homemade

develop negatives in a homemade

develop negatives in a homemade photography darkroom where it’s as much

photography darkroom where it’s as much

photography darkroom where it’s as much an art as a science and you don’t always

an art as a science and you don’t always

an art as a science and you don’t always get the result that you want with CRISPR

get the result that you want with CRISPR

get the result that you want with CRISPR it’s like we now have Photoshop for

it’s like we now have Photoshop for

it’s like we now have Photoshop for chromosomes CRISPR lets us make very

chromosomes CRISPR lets us make very

chromosomes CRISPR lets us make very specific changes to a DNA sequence at

specific changes to a DNA sequence at

specific changes to a DNA sequence at precise locations inside each cell of

precise locations inside each cell of

precise locations inside each cell of your body are three billion DNA letters

your body are three billion DNA letters

your body are three billion DNA letters and dormant HIV is only nine thousand of

and dormant HIV is only nine thousand of

and dormant HIV is only nine thousand of these letters hidden somewhere among the

these letters hidden somewhere among the

these letters hidden somewhere among the three billion of the cell so by using

three billion of the cell so by using

three billion of the cell so by using CRISPR to target precise DNA sequences

CRISPR to target precise DNA sequences

CRISPR to target precise DNA sequences that are only found in dormant HIV and

that are only found in dormant HIV and

that are only found in dormant HIV and nowhere else we can inactivate or

nowhere else we can inactivate or

nowhere else we can inactivate or directly delete the dormant virus from

directly delete the dormant virus from

directly delete the dormant virus from the cell this is relatively

the cell this is relatively

the cell this is relatively straightforward to do in the lab but for

straightforward to do in the lab but for

straightforward to do in the lab but for this to work in people we need an

this to work in people we need an

this to work in people we need an efficient way to get the CRISPR system

efficient way to get the CRISPR system

efficient way to get the CRISPR system into their bodies earlier this year this

into their bodies earlier this year this

into their bodies earlier this year this was tested in mice that had dormant HIV

was tested in mice that had dormant HIV

was tested in mice that had dormant HIV scientists took a harmless virus that

scientists took a harmless virus that

scientists took a harmless virus that they modified and used it to infect the

they modified and used it to infect the

they modified and used it to infect the mice and once inside this virus actually

mice and once inside this virus actually

mice and once inside this virus actually produced copies of the CRISPR system

produced copies of the CRISPR system

produced copies of the CRISPR system inside each cell of the mice and

inside each cell of the mice and

inside each cell of the mice and incredibly almost all of the dormant

incredibly almost all of the dormant

incredibly almost all of the dormant virus was cut from their bodies giving

virus was cut from their bodies giving

virus was cut from their bodies giving hope that a similar approach might one

hope that a similar approach might one

hope that a similar approach might one day work in people the two strategies

day work in people the two strategies

day work in people the two strategies that I’ve just talked about using

that I’ve just talked about using

that I’ve just talked about using antibodies to kill the cells with

antibodies to kill the cells with

antibodies to kill the cells with dormant virus and using CRISPR to remove

dormant virus and using CRISPR to remove

dormant virus and using CRISPR to remove the dormant virus without harming the

the dormant virus without harming the

the dormant virus without harming the cell these are two of the most promising

cell these are two of the most promising

cell these are two of the most promising Keir approaches being developed by

Keir approaches being developed by

Keir approaches being developed by thousands of scientists around the world

thousands of scientists around the world

thousands of scientists around the world but it’s not only basic scientists

but it’s not only basic scientists

but it’s not only basic scientists leading the way

leading the way

leading the way there’s a crucial role being played by

there’s a crucial role being played by

there’s a crucial role being played by clinicians and others involved in

clinicians and others involved in

clinicians and others involved in clinical trials by taking experimental

clinical trials by taking experimental

clinical trials by taking experimental treatments developed in the lab and

treatments developed in the lab and

treatments developed in the lab and testing them for the first time in

testing them for the first time in

testing them for the first time in clinical trials with hiv-positive

clinical trials with hiv-positive

clinical trials with hiv-positive volunteers there’s also a role for a

volunteers there’s also a role for a

volunteers there’s also a role for a variety of social scientists from

variety of social scientists from

variety of social scientists from running stigma reduction programs to

running stigma reduction programs to

running stigma reduction programs to addressing social and economic barriers

addressing social and economic barriers

addressing social and economic barriers that limit the access of some HIV

that limit the access of some HIV

that limit the access of some HIV populations from participating in

populations from participating in

populations from participating in clinical trials and of course the HIV

clinical trials and of course the HIV

clinical trials and of course the HIV community are an invaluable piece of

community are an invaluable piece of

community are an invaluable piece of this puzzle we have to remember that for

this puzzle we have to remember that for

this puzzle we have to remember that for people living with HIV who take part in

people living with HIV who take part in

people living with HIV who take part in early clinical trials of experimental

early clinical trials of experimental

early clinical trials of experimental cured treatments there’s likely to be

cured treatments there’s likely to be

cured treatments there’s likely to be very little personal benefit and

very little personal benefit and

very little personal benefit and certainly some level of risk and yet

certainly some level of risk and yet

certainly some level of risk and yet many people with HIV continue to

many people with HIV continue to

many people with HIV continue to volunteer for these trials because of

volunteer for these trials because of

volunteer for these trials because of the massive social benefit that could

the massive social benefit that could

the massive social benefit that could result who remembers the number that I

result who remembers the number that I

result who remembers the number that I asked you to keep in mind 57 this is how

asked you to keep in mind 57 this is how

asked you to keep in mind 57 this is how many people have become infected with

many people have become infected with

many people have become infected with HIV since the start of this presentation

HIV since the start of this presentation

HIV since the start of this presentation and that’s happening all day every day

and that’s happening all day every day

and that’s happening all day every day it’s 57 too many you don’t have to be a

it’s 57 too many you don’t have to be a

it’s 57 too many you don’t have to be a scientist to help in the fight against

scientist to help in the fight against

scientist to help in the fight against HIV and the drive for a cure you can

HIV and the drive for a cure you can

HIV and the drive for a cure you can also help make a difference yes this

also help make a difference yes this

also help make a difference yes this could be through financial support like

could be through financial support like

could be through financial support like making a donation to a group that

making a donation to a group that

making a donation to a group that supports cure research but you can also

supports cure research but you can also

supports cure research but you can also help make a difference without spending

help make a difference without spending

help make a difference without spending anything learn about stigma and

anything learn about stigma and

anything learn about stigma and discrimination and speak with someone

discrimination and speak with someone

discrimination and speak with someone you know who might be living with HIV or

you know who might be living with HIV or

you know who might be living with HIV or do your part and helping to end HIV

do your part and helping to end HIV

do your part and helping to end HIV transmission and go get tested take a

transmission and go get tested take a

transmission and go get tested take a colleague a neighbor a friend heck even

colleague a neighbor a friend heck even

colleague a neighbor a friend heck even your grandma it’s quick it’s easy and

your grandma it’s quick it’s easy and

your grandma it’s quick it’s easy and it’s free for the 37 million people

it’s free for the 37 million people

it’s free for the 37 million people living with HIV today and the 2 million

living with HIV today and the 2 million

living with HIV today and the 2 million more who are becoming infected

more who are becoming infected

more who are becoming infected every single year the development of an

every single year the development of an

every single year the development of an HIV cure would be nothing less than the

HIV cure would be nothing less than the

HIV cure would be nothing less than the realization of a dream a dream of a

realization of a dream a dream of a

realization of a dream a dream of a lifetime free of infection and treatment

lifetime free of infection and treatment

lifetime free of infection and treatment free of the fear that they might one day

free of the fear that they might one day

free of the fear that they might one day develop AIDS free of the stigma and

develop AIDS free of the stigma and

develop AIDS free of the stigma and discrimination of being HIV positive

discrimination of being HIV positive

discrimination of being HIV positive let’s be realistic

let’s be realistic

let’s be realistic there are substantial challenges to be

there are substantial challenges to be

there are substantial challenges to be overcome but progress is accelerating

overcome but progress is accelerating

overcome but progress is accelerating and we are on the path to making an HIV

and we are on the path to making an HIV

and we are on the path to making an HIV cure a reality

”

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