A question...
Jul. 8th, 2002 08:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
litheraMaybe this will turn into a debate, I don't know. (Keep in mind that this is something I've amalgamated from reading lots of different things over the past year or so. Feel free to correct me.)
The prevailing idea in the US on AIDS has become, instead of curing the disease, just to make the lives of those who have it long and healthy and to lessen the impact of it for as long as possible. The scientists working on the cures (in the US) have all run into brick walls and have pretty much said "We can't do it right now. Maybe in a few years with new advances. We're going to concentrate on prevention and helping people live with it."
The rest of the world seem to think we're giving up on it too early and wants us to start concentrating on a cure again. In fact there is a company in Barcelona that claims they could possibly have a vaccine in 3-4 years. (There is also a company in San Fran that has two potential vaccines for possible release in 2004/2005, though they seem to be the minority in the US from what I've read.)
I think we need to do more in the field of prevention. Sure a vaccine is a wonderful and marvelous thing, but wouldn't it just be easier if people didn't get it in the first place? I'm always leary about eliminating viruses or killing things off. It jsut seems to make them stronger when they come around again. It seems to be the wrong way to go about it. AIDS doesn't need anymore of a reason to mutate more.
What do you think the best plan is? I think a combination of all of them is likely best. Even if we get a vaccine, we're likely still going to have people who get it for one reason or another. (There are still the rare occurances of getting it through transfusion and the like.)
Just my thoughts... rambling.
The prevailing idea in the US on AIDS has become, instead of curing the disease, just to make the lives of those who have it long and healthy and to lessen the impact of it for as long as possible. The scientists working on the cures (in the US) have all run into brick walls and have pretty much said "We can't do it right now. Maybe in a few years with new advances. We're going to concentrate on prevention and helping people live with it."
The rest of the world seem to think we're giving up on it too early and wants us to start concentrating on a cure again. In fact there is a company in Barcelona that claims they could possibly have a vaccine in 3-4 years. (There is also a company in San Fran that has two potential vaccines for possible release in 2004/2005, though they seem to be the minority in the US from what I've read.)
I think we need to do more in the field of prevention. Sure a vaccine is a wonderful and marvelous thing, but wouldn't it just be easier if people didn't get it in the first place? I'm always leary about eliminating viruses or killing things off. It jsut seems to make them stronger when they come around again. It seems to be the wrong way to go about it. AIDS doesn't need anymore of a reason to mutate more.
What do you think the best plan is? I think a combination of all of them is likely best. Even if we get a vaccine, we're likely still going to have people who get it for one reason or another. (There are still the rare occurances of getting it through transfusion and the like.)
Just my thoughts... rambling.
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no subject
Date: 2002-07-08 09:05 am (UTC)I agree with you 100%. A vaccine would be a lovely thing, but it does nothing for the people who already have it. Making their lives longer and healthier is an important focus. The lovely thing about the international community working on it is that everyone can have a different focus. Work for a cure is important. But if we choose instead to focus on things that we find a more reachable goal... such as prevention and sustaining the health of the victims... there's no harm there.
no subject
Date: 2002-07-08 12:02 pm (UTC)We do have cures for bacterias and the like, but for heaven's sake.. we haven't had a cure for the common cold, and we had that long before we were aware of AIDS.
Straight up, a cure would be fantastic.. but I don't see it ever happening.
I think focusing on the vaccine and helping people with AIDS live long, comfortable lives is just about all we can do, unless we have some serious technological breakthroughs.
Re:
Date: 2002-07-08 12:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-07-08 12:21 pm (UTC)If we educate people and take a fraction of the money or federal government spends on other programs and put it towards education and free condoms and needle exchanges I believe that AIDS would come to an abrupt halt. I think that a majority of AIDS patients are at fault or victims of people who are irresponcible with their sex and drugs.
Note that I said 'most.' I do acknowledge that a partner can pass it on and not be aware they have the virus, even if they were tested recently. Also it's not like I think they deserve it, or deserve any less comapassion, but for the most part we think we know how AIDS and HIV are transmitted and how to prevent transmittion.
From The Man in Bellingham,
Michael