"Well if I recall it was supposed to be a curse, but yes it would have its benefits, though with some disadvantages or complications. Much like "Vampire" can from certain perspectives be a curse but also a gift with its own disadvantages/complications. But it also relies on the mentality of those who become them to dictate which side of the coin it is to them and how they make use of it, and handle its negatives. Though I can see as they are diseases and unnatural to the human body that the chances to survive are much like chances with other diseases that have a chance to kill."