Recent news shows that a technique that could be used to safely treat and control HIV without the use of drugs may prove viable. This technique, supported by the National Institute of Health, utilizes the genetic modification of cells to help those infected with the virus control it.

According to the initial report, scientists have found that they may be able to help those with the virus, "by removing key cells from HIV-infected individuals, genetically modifying the cells to resist HIV infection and returning them to those people." 

Research on this method was inspired by the observation that people who already have a genetic modification in a protein they carry called CCR5 are naturally resistant to HIV infection and when, infected with HIV, progress to AIDS more slowly.

During this study, half of participants stopped taking their antiretroviral drugs for eight to 12 weeks. Results showed that, during this experimental treatment, the genetically modified cells appeared to be protected from HIV infection. 

You can find a full copy of the initial report [2] over at HIV Plus magazine.