HIV Vaccine Funding: 'Enough is Enough,' Says Largest US AIDS Group

In a Baltimore Sun opinion piece today (1), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) called for the suspension of costly HIV vaccine research funding and the re-allocation of resources into effective, proven HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment strategies.

[tio demonte]

I remember that bonehead Faucie saying, there would be an effective treatment in the nineties.
All we got was a picture of the various degrees. They should call it the "Billion Dollar Photo" now!

[john]

the perfect vacine for aids is not getting it , being mostly a desase of choice im not interested in funding reserarch , treatment or really paying for prevention ,, its known how not to get it , so like a sub prime loan , you took the chance you should take the lumps

[Nonnie Muss]

John,

I can't say I totally disagree - except for the fact that there are babies out there who get it from their mothers, and people who have gotten it from improperly screened blood transfusions.

Certainly, they didn't do anything to deserve getting it.

[Just Me]

And then there is the issue of the cost to society of all the additional AIDS cases a do nothing approach would result in. There are rates in Africa that we surely never want to see here, and the most productive age group is the hardest hit. And what of drug costs and medical costs? Would you say "tough luck--it's voluntary" and deny medical aid? Think of all the other things "tough luck--it's voluntary" could be applied to. Want to bet that at least one of those would apply to you?

[Ajepa]

Just Me wrote:

And then there is the issue of the cost to society of all the additional AIDS cases a do nothing approach would result in. There are rates in Africa that we surely never want to see here, and the most productive age group is the hardest hit. And what of drug costs and medical costs? Would you say "tough luck--it's voluntary" and deny medical aid? Think of all the other things "tough luck--it's voluntary" could be applied to. Want to bet that at least one of those would apply to you?

I think we should get the best medical care we can afford. I do not think I should provide that medical care for the rest, and I do not think that is the function of government either. Take care of your own health.

[Pittsburgh Steve]

In the West where education and treatment are available the Vaccine may not be as critical; but in africa not having a vaccine is basically a Death Sentence. Education is a joke or goes against cultural values. And the resources available do not allow treatment. Many of these people are at subsistance levels. It's a mess and there does not seem to be a solution.

[Joe]

Ajepa wrote:

<quoted text>
I think we should get the best medical care we can afford. I do not think I should provide that medical care for the rest, and I do not think that is the function of government either. Take care of your own health.

Compassionate conservatism at its finest.

[Leria]

Frankly, the reason that we do not have a vaccine is because we are not putting enough money into it.

With all due respect to this asshole writing this report... there were a hell of a lot of setbacks when they were trying to find a polio vaccine. Did they give up? No, and neither should we. In fact, the problem is that we might not be putting ENOUGH money into AIDS vaccine research, and allowing the drug companies (who have a motive for NOT finding a vaccine) to do most, if not all, of the work.

I also have to say that I do not think that the AIDS virus is a natural one, nor do I think it is the ONLY thing causing AIDS. I have three friends with the HIV virus, who have had it for more than 20 years without treatment at all.... they do not have any form of HIV, full-blown or not.
We need to start looking at the people like my friends, who apparently are IMMUNE to HIV while still being carries of the disease.
They are the ones who will lead us to a true vaccine for the disease.

[Redshine]

It's a shame when they want to stop the funding of HIV vaccine research because that is all the hope some people have. There is a war going on that has cost the United State so much money and many lives. That money could have been used for the research and maybe one of those many people that have died could have one day cured the disease. There are so many people born into circumstances where catching the virus is as easy falling and cutting yourself or walking down the wrong street "rape victims", not of choice. So until we are put in the situation of everybody on the planet we should not judge. And you never know when or if your significant other is cheating or playing you for a JOHN

[SSR]

The vast majority of those infected got it because they couldn't keep their jocky shorts on, their panties up or they have a needle sticking out of their arm.
LET THEM PAY FOR THEIR OWN TREATMENT, NOT ME.

[Steve]

It's ironinc that we know all the disease vectors and changing human behavior would virtually eliminate HIV in one generation.

But that's too hard so we spend millons of dollars and research resources on HIV that could be spenT on other health problems.

[just me]

It's just like cancer research, as long as the money is coming in they will never find a cure.

[SSR]

just me wrote:

It's just like cancer research, as long as the money is coming in they will never find a cure.

You got that right. "Managed care" makes more money than cures. Especially if they can manage it for decades, from childhood to the grave.

[rick]

did anyone get the "I AM LEGEND" message? sometimes the cure can be worse than the disease. without dragging god into it people should realize that nature has its way of finding checks and balances that don"t include the human condition as a priority. we are a species that pees in its own pot. we shouldnt expect science to fix this problem anymore than we will fix our planet by liveing on the moon or mars. we have one life. make the best of it.

[Mr Eazee]

Just Me wrote:

And then there is the issue of the cost to society of all the additional AIDS cases a do nothing approach would result in. There are rates in Africa that we surely never want to see here, and the most productive age group is the hardest hit. And what of drug costs and medical costs? Would you say "tough luck--it's voluntary" and deny medical aid? Think of all the other things "tough luck--it's voluntary" could be applied to. Want to bet that at least one of those would apply to you?

YES! The AIDS lobby just has the biggest mouths!

[Mr Eazee]

Pittsburgh Steve wrote:

In the West where education and treatment are available the Vaccine may not be as critical; but in africa not having a vaccine is basically a Death Sentence. Education is a joke or goes against cultural values. And the resources available do not allow treatment. Many of these people are at subsistance levels. It's a mess and there does not seem to be a solution.

And we need more of these people because?

[Eddie]

Just Me wrote:

And then there is the issue of the cost to society of all the additional AIDS cases a do nothing approach would result in. There are rates in Africa that we surely never want to see here, and the most productive age group is the hardest hit. And what of drug costs and medical costs? Would you say "tough luck--it's voluntary" and deny medical aid? Think of all the other things "tough luck--it's voluntary" could be applied to. Want to bet that at least one of those would apply to you?

I take responsibility for myself, don't you?

[rick]

did you see the google ad at the top of this page? aids testing best prices around? where can i buy stock in that? what the $@&*?

[kek]

Research is great if it is applied where it is needed. As for HIV/AIDS the only solution is to keep you 'pants up', ask questions where needed and use your common sense! As far as the HIV babies that is not our problem it is the mother's lack of common sense...it's her responsibility. The individuals who have contracted HIV from blood transfusions is in itself a tragedy but they made the decision or let the medical field make the decision for them. The medical staff that 'prick' their fingers from needles that are used on HIV patients is a lack of being careful and taking the procedure seriously and slowly.

[John]

Nonnie Muss wrote:

John,
I can't say I totally disagree - except for the fact that there are babies out there who get it from their mothers, and people who have gotten it from improperly screened blood transfusions.
Certainly, they didn't do anything to deserve getting it.

Excuse Me! Does anyone "deserve" getting any disease? Who raised you people?