Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site olivee.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!olivee!gnome From: gnome@olivee.UUCP (Gary Traveis) Newsgroups: net.med Subject: Re: attacking viruses Message-ID: <458@olivee.UUCP> Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 15:53:22 EDT Article-I.D.: olivee.458 Posted: Thu Aug 15 15:53:22 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 04:59:01 EDT References: <2617@amdcad.UUCP> Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca Lines: 26 > Recently someone commented that modern medicine can do little against > illness caused by viruses. I had a thought which goes like this: > in recombinant DNA research they use agents (a form of RNA?) which > cut the genes at precise points. Then other methods are used to splice > together the pieces as desired. Could we simply employ the right agents > to cut up the genes in nasty viruses? I realize they are carried in ... Any agent that is that powerful would do a job on everything else in your body. There is a drug that is used to slow down the spreading of viral infections. In it's early stages, influenza can be kept from multiplying by the introduction of Amantadine. This drug keeps the virus from breaking through cell walls, and therefore making new DNA material. It doesn't help if your body has been overrun with 'flu but does give your body time to build up antibodies (as compared to having your metabolism screwed-up to the point of no return). Like I said, it is only useful for people that can tell when they are initially coming down with the flu. If you ignore it until it lays you out, Amantadine won't help. Gary (hplabs,allegra,ihnp4)oliveb!olivee!gnome