Viral Sex

Jaap Goudsmit, M.D., , universally recognized as one of the leading scientists working on HIV and AIDS, is Professor of Virology and Chairman of the Department of Human Retrovirology at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

"This [book's]...appeal reaches far beyond just fellow scientists. It is full of astonishing and interesting facts not only about viruses but about the humans studying them."--Frank Ryan, The New York Times Book Review"A well-written and provocative treatise about the origins of HIV and about the evolution of this most perplexing virus."--The Lancet"Viral Sex is an engrossing account of the science and the ideas behind HIV research. In particular this book presents original and sometimes provocative thoughts and hypotheses about the earliest entry of HIV's into humans. It describes its spread, evolution, and how medical science will need to be both aware and ready to tackle new variants of these and possibly other viruses emanating from the steadily dwindling rain forests. Author Jaap Goudsmit isuniquely qualified to take us on this journey. Since the earlieest period he has been the world's leading thinker on HIV evolution and one of the field's greatest scientists."--Dr. Robert Gallo, Professor andDirctor, Institute of Human Virology"An articulate, engaging explanation of what scientists now know about HIV and how the spread of AIDS might be controlled, from a leading AIDS researcher.... Alternately alarming and reassuring, but always engrossing."--Kirkus"A provocative treatise by a leadings AIDS researcher on the origin and evolution of the dreadful microbe of our time."--David Ho, Director, Aaron Diamond AIDS Researach Center"...provides important information on the past and future of AIDS."--Library Journal"[Goudsmit] takes readers on a tour--introducing us not only to the monkeys and apes of tropical forests and the viruses that they transmit but also to the mysterious AIDS-like diseases that appeared in Europe and America during this century, discussing possible historical intersections between viruses, humans, and other mammals dating back to the Stone Age. All the while he works circuitoulsy toward his goal: to understand where AIDS and AIDS-like diseaseshave come from, where they are going, and what we can do about them."--Paul W. Ewald, Natural History"An exploration of viral behavior that is both fascinating and disturbing....There is a great deal of technical information in this book, but its appeal reaches far beyond just fellow scientists. It is full of astonishing and interesting facts not only about viruses but about the humans studying them."--Frank Ryan, The New York Times Book Review"A well-written and provocative treatise about the origins of HIV and about the evolution of this most perplexing virus."--The Lancet

• 1. The most disarming virus ; 2. The rise of the western AIDS epidemic ; 3. HIV baby booms: epidemics come and go ; 4. The rainforest roots of HIV ; 5. HIV-0 and HIV-1: the chimpanzee connection ; 6. HIV-2: the sooty mangabey connection ; 7. Searching for SIV in monkey mummies ; 8. Beyond HIV and SIV: the cat connection ; 9. The mystery suitor: HIV's next move ; 10. Viral sex and AIDS: response to instability ; 11. Retrovirus survival: the human threat ; 12. Human survival: vaccines to disarm HIV ; Epilogue ; Glossary ; Index ; Bibliography