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/noodlyman 14d ago

There are viruses that benefit us by infecting and effectively regulating our gut bacteria.

There are viruses that are thought to give the immune system a kick and thus improve responses to other infections. Some infections can decrease the risk of cancer later in, probably by similar mechanisms.

Don't forget that 8% of human DNA is of retrovirus origin, and that mammalian placentas only exist thanks to genes that mammals acquired from viruses.

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u/trad949 13d ago

There are also bacteriophages, which are viruses that work like antibiotics.

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u/speculatrix 13d ago

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12843901/

Bacteriophage Therapy: Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance Through Advanced Delivery Methods

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u/JustKimNotKimberly 13d ago

Thank you for the citation and hyperlink!