>From:    kj smith <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ferrets and AIDS research?
>If ferrets can catch human flu bugs does that mean ferrets can carry aids
>as well?
 
Nope.  If anybody would know, it's Gilead Sciences...the ferret respiratory
tract is "human enough" that the Flu virus which targets it can jump from
human to fert.  But the human's system to fight off disease is different
enough from fert that there's no crossover there.  Only a few monkeys and
genetically engineered mice have immune systems close enough to human to
catch AIDS.
 
Given that they were using ferts in the initial Flu-pill tests, they almost
certainly tried infecting ferts with AIDS, with no results...GS's primary
specialty is AIDS research.
 
Jim March
 
 -------------------
 For a wild true story of crooked cops, stolen guns, perjury, fraud
 and false criminal charges, see http://www.infinex.com/~jmarch
[Posted in FML issue 2203]