A Biological Dream

The words, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human

Immunodeficiency Virus stared at me. Researching for a fourth grade informative
paper, I had no idea what these words meant. All I knew was that they were the long,
drawn-out aliases for AIDS and HIV. As I sifted through the pages of this picture book,
strange illustrations attempted to give me insight on the appearance and functions of the
virus. I learned all that my fourth-grade mind could possibly comprehend, and copied
facts from the book onto my paper, regardless if I understood or not. However, through
the thick compilation of knowledge, facts, and pictures, four prevailing words were
engraved into my mind --- there is no cure.
As I matured, I began to indulge deeper into the science of AIDS. What were the
symptoms? What were the treatments? What were the side effects? I learned that virus
targets T cells, which specifically help combat foreign infections. Thus, the immune
system is weakened due to the deficiency in T cells, and the body is vulnerable to foreign
infections and attacks. Even the common cold can prove fatal to an AIDS patient. To
treat the disease, patients must take large quantities and combinations of different drugs
that do indeed extend the lives of patients. Nonetheless, the side effects are so miserable
and daunting that some patients prefer to forgo the drugs, as they believe the side effects
are worse than the illness itself. Researching on, I was still disbelieving that the scientific
community had not been able to solve such a problem.
The sheer complexity of the illness and the fact that it remained uncured intrigued
me profoundly. For example, the behavior of the virus is so tactical and masterful that
one could deem it genius. When HIV enters the bloodstream, the virus latches onto T
Cells and injects its genetic material, RNA, into the body cell. Through reverse
transcription, the RNA is converted into DNA and integrated into the T cells genetic
code. The cell then undergoes DNA replication and multiplies the viral code along with
it. When transcription occurs, the viral code is then converted back into its original RNA
code and utilizes the T cells material to create new viruses. What is genius is the viruss
ability to use the cells membrane as its own membrane and coat to conceal it from the
bodys detection and immune response mechanisms. Stealthily, the new viruses attack
other T cells and multiply further. As a result, the number of T cells present in the body
continues to suffer at an exponential rate. These targets of attacks, T cells, are tactically
chosen because T cells play a crucial role in immune response and body defense. When
they are progressively being eliminated, the bodys fortifications against foreign
infections like HIV are further undermined. In essence, the HIV virus utilizes an almost
foolproof plan to infect the body--- annihilating the T cells responsible for the bodys
immune defense, and avoiding detection by the body by shrouding itself in friendly body
cell membrane. On top of all of this, the virus mutates and adapts at an extraordinary
rate, rendering many drugs ineffective over time.
From a young age, I have always been irritated and agitated by dilemmas that are
left unsolved. When I studied AIDS, the line, there is no cure, lured me into the world
of medicine and biology, cementing my decision to play a role in the medical field and
bettering humanity. I was fascinated by the intricacy of the virus and baffled by how to
attack the problem. Every year after the fourth grade, I analyzed how and if any new
knowledge would aid me in my quest. Even in high school, my knowledge and

experience is too rudimentary to attack the disease effectively--- I required higher

learning and greater resources. Updating on current news, I learned of a gene, Delta 32,
which inhibited the viruss ability to adhere to the surfaces of cell. This would be a
crucial piece of information in developing a cure in the age of advancing technology and
possibility of genetic modification. The cure is within the grasps, and I am going to help
solve this dilema. There is no such thing as no cure.