The Dhaka Times Desk A group of researchers has developed a novel approach to treat HIV AIDS patients. This is called genetically modified or GMO rice.
Researchers in the UK, US and Spain have developed new GMO rice to combat the symptoms of HIV AIDS. Especially in countries where HIV drugs are not readily available, this rice is believed to be of particular benefit. Their research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
According to the news, there are GMO variants of different crops in the world. In the past, GMO rice capable of dealing with malnutrition and environmental damage has been developed.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2017, there were a total of 3.69 million HIV AIDS patients in the world. Of these, 2.57 million are residents of Africa. The disease spread like an epidemic in the 1980s. Compared to then, its infection has decreased slightly, but the number of HIV-infected patients is increasing day by day at an alarming rate.
Various drugs and vaccines are currently being tested to control the disease. However, currently there is no way to prevent and cure this disease except for the spread of sex education and oral medicine.
So far only one patient in the history of AIDS has recovered completely. Other patients take a type of antiretroviral drug, which prevents the spread of AIDS inside the body. With proper treatment, the patient can live a long and healthy life.
The biggest problem is that these drugs are not readily available for everyone. That is why researchers developed special rice for HIV patients. According to them, this GMO rice is an accessible and cheap solution for patients who cannot afford medicines.
How will this rice control HIV? These rice seeds contain 3 proteins - monolocal antibody 2G12, lectins Griffithsin and Cyanobyrin-N. They prevent HIV from spreading inside the body. This paddy bete can be applied to the skin like a cream, it works like an antiretroviral drug. The production cost of these rice is also very low.
However, it will take some time to make this paddy available to the public. GMO crops in particular create a frightening situation among many. This fear should be overcome as soon as possible. It must also be proven that this crop does not have any bad side effects.
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