FIV

This specific transgenesis genome modification approach will not be used directly for treating people with HIV or cats with FIV, but it will help medical and veterinary researchers understand how restriction factors can be used to advance gene therapy for AIDS caused by either virus.

Glow-in-the-dark cats against AIDS, other diseases 2011

Succeeding with it for the first time in a carnivore, the team inserted a gene for a rhesus macaque restriction factor known to block cell infection by FIV, as well as a jellyfish gene for tracking purposes.

Glow-in-the-dark cats against AIDS, other diseases 2011

Less well known is that millions of cats also suffer and die from FIV/AIDS each year.

Glow-in-the-dark cats against AIDS, other diseases 2011

The macaque restriction factor, TRIMCyp, blocks FIV by attacking and disabling the virus's outer shield as it tries to invade a cell.

Glow-in-the-dark cats against AIDS, other diseases 2011

"I can attest that I have had a very positive experience with an FIV+ cat," said Muffin's owner, Peggy Clark, who was one of a couple hundred cat lovers who e-mailed after I wrote a column about my decision not to adopt a couple of shelter kittens who tested positive for the feline virus.

Blind devotion to needy pets not the best path for everyone 2010

"I can attest that I have had a very positive experience with an FIV+ cat," said Muffin's owner, Peggy Clark, who was one of a couple hundred cat lovers who e-mailed after I wrote a column about my decision not to adopt a couple of shelter kittens who tested positive for the feline virus.

Blind devotion to needy pets not the best path for everyone 2010

I asked myself that when my older son fell in love with the FIV kittens, Malcolm and Maguire, at the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Blind devotion to needy pets not the best path for everyone 2010

It's a long story, but it comes down to this: Catania took Morty to the vet to get him neutered and cared for and learned that he had feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV.

Blind devotion to needy pets not the best path for everyone 2010

They even have a program that will provide lifetime, free medical care for them, as FIV-positive cats will be more vulnerable to ordinary illness and need to be taken in every six months.

Blind devotion to needy pets not the best path for everyone 2010

I asked myself that when my older son fell in love with the FIV kittens, Malcolm and Maguire, at the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Blind devotion to needy pets not the best path for everyone 2010