Polio, hepatitis B and AIDS: an integrative theory on a possible vaccine induced pandemic

The hypothesis that simian virus 40 (SV40) infected polio vaccines may be l inked to the evolution of acquired immunodeficiency disorder (AIDS), and ce rtain cancers, has been advanced. Most recently, investigators discussed th e likelihood of gene-reshuffling following SV40 infection as a precursor to acquired immune dysfunction. Findings of recent SV40 infections in four ch ildren born after 1982 suggest infections were transmitted vertically along gene lines. Earlier observations proved activation of a retrovirus gene by a hepatitis B virus (HBV) protein. This paper proposes a new integrative t heory on the origin of AIDS. It advances the possibility of genetic recombi nations with oncogene activation by HBV involving simian viruses that likel y infected polio vaccinated blood donors to the initial hepatitis B (HB) va ccine trials conducted on gay men in New York City and Ugandan Blacks in th e early to mid-1970s. The socio-economic and even military ramifications as sociated with this politically challenging thesis are discussed. (C) 2001 H arcourt Publishers Ltd.