immune system, so that the afflicted patient wouldnot be able to develop any defense against it. Ten years later, in the springof 1979, the first cases of AIDS appeared in New York."Thus began a phase of frantic experimentation," say the Segals.One group was working on trying to cause animal pathogens to adapt themselvesto life in human beings. This was done under the cover of searching for a curefor cancer. The race was won by Gallo, who described his findings in 1975. Ayear later, Gallo described gene manipulations he was conducting. In 1980 hepublished his discovery of HTLV.In the fall of 1977, a P4 (highest security category of laboratory, in whichhuman pathogens are subjected to genetic manipulations) laboratory wasofficially opened in building 550 of Fort Detrick, MD, the Pentagon's mainbiological warfare research center. "In an article in 'Der Spiegel`, Prof.Mollings point out that this type of gene manipulation was still extremelydifficult in 1977. One would have had to have a genius as great as Robert Gallofor this purpose, note the Segals."Lo and behold. In a supposed compliance with the international accord banningthe research, production and storage of biological weapons, part of FortDetrick was "demilitarized" and the virus section renamed the "FrederickCancer Research Facility". It was put under the direction of the CancerResearch Institute in neighbouring Bethesda, whose director was no other thanRobert Gallo. This happened in 1975, the year Gallo discovered HTLV.Explaining how the virus escaped, the Segals note that in the US, biologicalagents are traditionally tested on prisoners who are incarcerated for longperiods, and who are promised freedom if they survive the test. However, theinitial HIV infection symptoms are mild and followed by a seemingly healthypatient."Those who conducted the research must have concluded that the new viruswas...not so virulent that it could be considered for military use, and thetest...
