•IN THE LAB •APRIL 12, 2011 Scientists Study Interplay Between Retroviral Genes and Cancer, Other Diseases By AMY DOCKSER MARCUS The human genome is littered with the genetic remains of ancient viruses that once infected people but now lie dormant. Until recently, scientists didn’t believe they played a role in modern disease. New research is causing many scientists to think again. Recent studies suggest these old virus shards may play a role in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. The ancient viruses scientists are most interested in date from waves of infections that took place as recently as 100,000 to 200,000 years ago. In modern humans, the…