Possible breakthrough in the fight against AIDS

[alfredo]

Let's hope this is the one.

http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=9131
Researchers discover gene that blocks HIV


February 28, 2008 - Edmonton - A team of researchers at the University of Alberta has discovered a gene that is able to block HIV, and in turn prevent the onset of AIDS.

Stephen Barr, a molecular virologist in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, says his team has identified a gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection in a cell culture by preventing the assembly of the virus.

"When we put this gene in cells, it prevents the assembly of the HIV virus," said Barr, a postdoctoral fellow. "This means the virus cannot get out of the cells to infect other cells, thereby blocking the spread of the virus."

[uppityperson]

1. k&r for more HIV/AIDS research.

[panader0]

2. Let's hope

Seeing bush in Africa supposedly discussing the AIDS crisis there with local leaders made me sick. He could care less. bush is probably a guyy who thinks people with HIV/AIDS deserve it for immoral behavior.

[northzax]

3. to be fair

Bush's HIV/AIDS policy in Africa is actually pretty good. It's actually the one major policy that is doing some real good in the world.

[Warpy]

5. He's still delivered much less funding than he promised

and he's still insisting on the useless abstinence preaching instead of real information.

Progress is being made in some African countries in spite of him, not because of him.

At least, unlike Reagan, he recognizes the problem exists.

[northzax]

7. true, it's not as much as promised

but it is more than any President before him (triple what Bill Clinton delivered). Yes, legally, funding can't be used for abortion or condoms, but in practicality, it can be used to build the buildings that house health workers that provide condoms and abortions. it really is a very fine line, and the US doesn't spend a lot of energy or effort auditing or busting those who use the money for condoms. yes, it spends as much, technically, on abstinence counseling as condoms, but since it spends more on condoms than any previous plan, that's not a terrible thing.

PEPFAR is really a decent bit of work by this administration, probably the best and most helpful thing they have done. let's give some credit where it is due.

[alfredo]

10. Such dog and pony shows are typical when a president's numbers

are in the tank. Nixon did his China trip when he was up to his ears in Watergate.

[RC]

4. What other viruses would this discovery be good for?

Herpes? Rabies? Polio? Maybe even prions? A cure for bu$h cow disease?

[alfredo]

6. maybe some other autoimmune disorders.

[originalpckelly]

8. HIV is something we need to cure already!

Why more money is spent is clear, it's the "gay plague" in the minds of many still. :puke:

[alfredo]

9. It hasn't devastated our economy as it has in Africa.

It doesn't hurt the bottom line of corporate America, so what do they care.

[Donnachaidh]

11. it has devastated families who have lost loved ones

And I'll stand up to be counted. My oldest friend and SIL died of it after contracting HIV from a bad blood transfusion. This was in the beginning, when the Red Cross *refused* to test the blood supply - fearing to fuck up their profit margin. She had 14 transfusions over the course of one night, because her obstetrician didn't want to drive in snow, to help her with a miscarriage. He has a special place in hell waiting for him when he dies. :grr:

Aids is NOT just an African problem.

[alfredo]

12. That's sadly a widespread problem. I can see the man on the

street being fearful, but not professionals who know how to take proper precautions, even if they didn't know exactly what they were dealing with.

What I was saying was, because it hasn't had an impact on the US economy, lawmakers and corporatist have little desire to do anything about it. They (for the most part) don't care about pain and suffering of the individual and his/her loved ones. We grieve alone.

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Wow. I hope this is it. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? nt