Advanced viral genome tracking could soon identify individual virus transmission cases. What does that mean for our privacy?
Gaetan Dugas was not HIV “patient zero,” responsible for spreading the virus to North America according to a new study published in the scientific journal, Nature, which used a form of genome tracking to trace the virus’ entry into the continent back to the early 1970s in New York City, well before Dugas’ infection.
Dugas, who died from AIDS-related kidney failure in 1984, was exonerated almost a decade ago, though the myth of ‘Patient Zero’ endures as scientists are increasingly able to trace different strains of the virus, hoping to eventually be able to track exactly who gave the virus to whom.
“It may help us to identify communities or networks to focus on in terms of prevention measures,” says Dr Mark Gilbert, clinical associate professor in the population and public health department at the University of British Columbia and lead author of a recent journal article in The Lancet raising concerns about the technology.
“There’s a lot that’s promising, but every tool has another side and so it’s important just as well to be thinking carefully about the future in terms of how these new technologies are being used.”
Although it is not there yet, Gilbert says the emerging technology’s ability to identify individual transmission events may not be far off.
In countries like Canada, where people living with HIV can face the very serious charge of aggravated sexual assault for not disclosing their HIV status, it raises the possibility that the information could aid in further criminalizing and stigmatizing those living with the virus.