LIFE: Ubiquitous, chronic ailment of which very little is actually known. Doctors generally advise that it be allowed to run its course, even though death is expected in 100% of cases.
While scientists agree that more research is the answer, billions of dollars are already expended annually to combat the rising tide of infection; trillions, if military applications are included.
Some researchers, citing the OPPC (ounce of prevention vs. pound of cure) axiom, maintain that prevention is the only viable strategy. However, that argument is rejected by those who contend that any such program could risk the pre-emption of an individual otherwise fated to discover the elusive cure.
The WHO predicts that the number of people afflicted by the condition will soon rise to seven billion.


World population to reach 7 billion this year
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/news/researchers-world-population-to-reach-7b-this-year-dpgonc-20110817-kh_14609774
Pop to top 7 bills this week…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049451/Room-World-population-reach-7-BILLION-days.html
World Pop. May Top 15 Billion by 2100…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/22/population-world-15bn-2100
Seven Billionth Concurrent Soul to be Born Tomorrow…
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/seven-billionth-human-marks-demographic-change-expert-180307362.html
The Philippines Welcome Little Miss Seven Billion
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.c985efcfab53ba89f922bddeac7ead11.3a1&show_article=1