AIDS researchers have announced a possible breakthrough with the discovery of a naturally occurring gene that effectively blocks the disease's progress

AIDS researchers have announced a possible breakthrough with the discovery of a naturally occurring gene that effectively blocks the disease's progress. British and American research teams have found a human gene that acts as a brake on the development of HIV. However, this gene is itself made ineffective by a protein released by the HIV/AIDS virus. The researchers hope that if a way can be found to inhibit this protein, called vif, a new range of drugs may be developed in the next ten years to combat HIV and AIDS.