Will there be a permanent cure for AIDS in our lifetime?

[Lunar]

As Fred said... however small pox was kept in a few laboratories thus it still remains a potential threat to us humans.

The only surviving predator that really poises a threat to humanity is the lowly virus. Bacteria, Fungi, Parasites are readily wiped out with modern medicines in humans. Viruses not so much.

There actually is a growing concern for bacterial infections as well since we abuse antibiotics. Many bacteria are becoming resistant to many types of drugs through constant exposure. Many doctors don't help this situation either since they prescribe antibiotics for the wrong situations. Take penicillin for instance. It worked wonders back in the 1950s and looking at it now, it's nearly useless against many bacteria. If pharmaceutical companies weren’t so greedy and focused on chronic illness medications we would probably see more drugs on the market.

Viral infections are nasty and difficult to combat, prevention is the key.