Viral Extinction (IMAGE) Rockefeller University Caption Our ancestors evolved a defense mechanism against viral protein HERT-V (green), eradicating the virus about 11 million years ago. Credit Laboratory of Retrovirology at the Rockefeller University/eLife Usage Restrictions Image may be used only to illustrate the research described in the accompanying release. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.