A Changing, Deadly Virus

Resistance to drugs is a growing problem for a number of diseases. New research has discovered that the virus that causes AIDS is adapting to the human immune response (International Business Times, April 27, 2014). As a result, researchers believe the mutations could result in a decreased ability to fight HIV—especially in African populations where the infection rates are highest (ibid.). The HIV virus attacks and eventually destroys the immune system of its victims. While the origin of HIV is disputed, many scientists believe it “originated in Africa at some point between the late 1800s and the 1950s, possibly as a result of a human eating ‘bush meat’—probably a chimpanzee” (ibid.). 

The sad but encouraging reality is that HIV is preventable. Long ago God gave dietary laws that prevent the spread of diseases from many animal meats to humans, by avoiding meats that contain these infections—guidelines that modern Christianity believes have been “nailed to the cross” (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14). In addition, a primary means that spreads HIV infections is promiscuous sexual contact. However, if biblical commands to avoid adultery and fornication (sex outside of a monogamous, heterosexual marriage) were followed, virtually all HIV transmission would cease and eradication would follow within about a decade (Exodus 20:14). The laws of God lead to health and life (Proverbs 4:22), and those laws have been available for thousands of years.

For more on God’s public health laws, read our article “Biblical Health Laws.”