A primate as messiah

APES might come to the rescue Oour AfDS-infected planet. After a pro-longed period of deliberations, the usFood and Drug Administration (FDA)has given the green signal to a revolutionary experiment that might lead tothe discovery of a cure for this deadly disease.

The process involves injectingbaboon bone marrow cells into an AIDSpatient to see if they can help rebuild hisravaged immune system. The theory isthat baboon stem cells (which are part ofthe bone marrow cells) might helprepopulate a human being's blood with immune cells.

Of course, the experiment involvesserious risks. A FDA advisory committeehas warned that the recipient candidatemight die if diseases that baboons carryspread within his body.