'Blood Thieves' Move in to Study Virus in Tribe

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

'Blood Thieves' Move in to Study Virus in Tribe

Washington Times (06/13/94) P. A1
Otis, John

A remote tribe of Guaymi Indians in Panama are challenging American scientists and the Commerce Department over blood studies involving HTLV-II, a mysterious virus that is from the same viral family as HIV. Like HIV, HTLV-II is transmitted through sexual contact, intravenous drug use, and breast milk. The infection rate for HTLV-II is only about .01 worldwide, but 10 percent of Guaymis surveyed tested positive for the virus. Thousands of infected Guaymis gave blood samples to local physicians who, with the financial support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were to study the disease. Some of the samples, however, found the way into the hands of American scientists, who are using the blood to conduct other research. In that other research, the CDC is studying whether HTLV-II can counteract the effects of HIV. If so, it could play a role in the development of an AIDS vaccine, says Dr. Thomas Folks of the CDC. The Guaymi, who claim they did not know the U.S. scientists were experimenting with their blood, have responded by halting what they derisively refer to as "The Vampire Project."

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