Thread: Ask Me About Genetic Engineering

Does something like modifying the genes of an virus (take HIV for instance), so it will attack and feed itself from harmful HIV, and can reproduce itself is possible?

The problem with modifying viruses is that they have a tendency to mutate rather quickly. One virus can't really attack another, as they are little more than protein shells with bits of DNA or RNA inside. Viruses can, however, be implanted with certain genes and traits, and can "infect" a target area with the desired gene. This technique, called gene therapy, is getting more attention, and in some cases has been used to cure blindness in dogs. As for engineering virus soldiers, however, I'm not certain. They can't attack another virus directly as far as I know, but they may have the ability to attack specific cells...possibly even cancer cells.