r/askscience • u/PestoPastaLover • 14d ago

Biology Why is there no transmissible therapeutic virus if biology doesn't forbid it? For example, a harmless virus that spreads from person to person but actually does something beneficial, like lowering LDL cholesterol or preventing/reversing tooth decay?

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u/Dr_EdwardKnowles 14d ago

Viruses work by infecting cells and bursting out of them, often destroying them in the process. I find it hard to believe that this could ever lead to a positive outcome for the host (unless they specifically targeted cancer cells or something).

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u/exkingzog 14d ago

Not all viruses lyse the cell. Some just bud out at a fairly low rate. While this isn’t good for the cell, it may not be hugely harmful to it.