Background An individual has alleged that the visna virus, which caused illness and death in Icelandic sheep, was used by the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Special Virus Cancer Program (SVCP) to develop HIV-1, the virus that has caused the global AIDS pandemic. • This individual cited a SVCP research program flowchart as evidence that HIV-1 was developed intentionally in its laboratories. Objectives • Identify overall stated purposes and outcomes of SVCP. • Describe scientific assessments of the origins of the AIDS virus and any possible evidence regarding the origin of the AIDS virus at SVCP. • Describe outcome of recent litigation involving the individual’s allegations of federal government involvement in the origins of the AIDS virus.