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AIDS only made the species jump to humans in the latter part of the 20th century.

(Edit - that should read latter part of 19th or early 20th, sorry)

The monkey and chimp versions of the virus generally don't destroy their hosts' immune systems, showing they have built up an immunity - as indeed humans are actually showing signs of. This would suggest that humans have not had long enough to gain immunity, so it is a more recent jump to humans. The genetic similarities of the SIV and HIV viruses are also very good evidence.

Obviously the idea of some sort of bite injury or uncooked bushmeat transfer of the virus is more palatable than the idea of a sexually transmitted one...

I see no reason not to draw a firm conclusion when the evidence seems solid enough to do so. Obviously if new evidence comes to light I can revise my opinion, but one needn't be afraid to state with conviction as a fact a conclusion supported by the evidence.


In any case, humans have always shagged away to their hearts' content, ignoring VD, syphilis and other infections. Records of VD among, say, the British army in the 19th century show that they were shagging anything that moved and paying the price.