An ancient mechanism of the cell to protect itself from viral infection has been found. It is known as RNA interference and it is the original cellular police that evolved long ago in earths history.
"A long, long time ago, before plants and animals existed on our planet, a system evolved in the most primitive single-celled organisms to protect them from viruses. Only within the past few years have scientists discovered that this same system, called RNAi, still exists today in humans, as well as in plants and animals, and that it may have the potential to forever change the way doctors fight some diseases."
The above link is to NOVA's tutorial regarding RNA interference.
The RNAi process can silence a gene. They believe by inducing gene silencing there is the potential for cures of HIV, cancer and many other diseases. By tricking the RNAi system it might be able to be set to fight against such diseases.
This discovery in 2002 was heralded as the breakthrough of the year. Please go to the link and discover more of this fascinating story!
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