HIV Crossover Theories...

The Hunter Theory is that somewhere in Africa, groups of Hunter's killing chimpanzees for food contracted SIV, and became infected with it. Given the high mutation rate of HIV, it is likely that HIV evolved from SIV to infect humans. This is called zoonosis, when a disease crosses the species barrier, and it is a well documented phenomenon. I think that the contaminated needle theory goes along with the Hunter theory, but only so far as how HIV spread so quickly.

The use of unsterilized needles on multiple people is an excellent way to spread disease. I think that the "Heart of Darkness" theory goes hand in hand with the Hunter theory. It is basically the same thing, but in different circumstances. Zoonosis of SIV by consumption of infected chimpanzee meat.

Although, I must say that my favorite theory is the Conspiracy theory about HIV - and by favorite I mean the most ridiculous and fun to talk about. I think it is ridiculous to believe that a virus would be releases on purpose to target a specific group of "immoral" individuals. There is no way the government could be this stupid. Scientists working for the government know that viruses mutate - there would be no way to insure that only black people and gay people were the only ones infected. After all, we are all the same species. This theory ignores the clear similarities between HIV and SIV, and that the first cases were in Africa in 1959 or even earlier.

I think that it is very important to know how HIV evolved and what it evolved from. That knowledge allows us to track it's movement and rate of mutation. We can see the pattern it takes, and hopefully use this knowledge to prepare for the future. As well as to keep trying to make a vaccine or cure.