Comments on: HIV vaccines: the ecstasy and the agony http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2009/09/25/hiv-vaccines-the-ecstasy-and-the-agony/ Of sex and science. Elizabeth Pisani's blog about HIV and other sundry things. Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:54:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deusdedit Ruhangariyo http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2009/09/25/hiv-vaccines-the-ecstasy-and-the-agony/comment-page-1/#comment-3116 Deusdedit Ruhangariyo Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:41:11 +0000 http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/?p=1789#comment-3116 Your presentation yesterday at the Journalist 2 Journalist training was terrific. It really made my day. Together let us join hands to fight the AIDS Mafias. Your presentation yesterday at the Journalist 2 Journalist training was terrific.

It really made my day. Together let us join hands to fight the AIDS Mafias.

]]> By: peripheries http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2009/09/25/hiv-vaccines-the-ecstasy-and-the-agony/comment-page-1/#comment-2558 peripheries Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:40:19 +0000 http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/?p=1789#comment-2558 Considering that the results are clearly not significant in the per-protocol analysis ... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125511780864976689.html All of that is a bit academic, in a more sinister sense... How did they decide to let the hype built knowing that it was NS? Considering that the results are clearly not significant in the per-protocol analysis …

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125511780864976689.html

All of that is a bit academic, in a more sinister sense… How did they decide to let the hype built knowing that it was NS?

]]> By: Daniel Reeders http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2009/09/25/hiv-vaccines-the-ecstasy-and-the-agony/comment-page-1/#comment-2538 Daniel Reeders Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:23:19 +0000 http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/?p=1789#comment-2538 Hmm. Take two on trying to participate in a discussion with your blog on this topic... ERV, a genetic scientist and blogger I love, has written about the vaccine *strategy* used in Thailand (http://scienceblogs.com/erv/2009/09/prime--boost_a_viable_hiv-1_va.php) and this suggests the second specific protein component of the one-two punch could be customised to include more/different HIV sub-types. Hmm. Take two on trying to participate in a discussion with your blog on this topic… ERV, a genetic scientist and blogger I love, has written about the vaccine *strategy* used in Thailand (http://scienceblogs.com/erv/2009/09/prime–boost_a_viable_hiv-1_va.php) and this suggests the second specific protein component of the one-two punch could be customised to include more/different HIV sub-types.

]]> By: Richard Marcus http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2009/09/25/hiv-vaccines-the-ecstasy-and-the-agony/comment-page-1/#comment-2531 Richard Marcus Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:15:41 +0000 http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/?p=1789#comment-2531 After watching friends and colleagues die throughout the 1980's of mysterious and unknown causes - at least according to their obituaries - I've become horribly cynical about any of the so-called advances in HIV/AIDS research that would in any shape or form that would reduce prevention. The first thought I had upon seeing the news of this vaccine, was great, now people are going to start thinking they're immune and all the work that's been done over the years on education and prevention will fly out the window. The conservative religious right will pounce on this to prevent even less money be spent on programs teaching people about safe sex, because now of course it will no longer be needed. This is just the sort of thing that could cause an upsurge in the epidemic. The other question to ask is how long will it take the virus to mutate and become immune to the vaccine? As Elizabeth points out it already doesn't work on the most common strain in Africa. All one needs do is think about the fact that viruses and bacterial infections routinely build up resistance to vaccines and antibiotics to question how long a vaccine will actually be effective. We must keep up the fight for adequate funding for preventative measures - they are the only sure fire way of stopping the disease. After watching friends and colleagues die throughout the 1980′s of mysterious and unknown causes – at least according to their obituaries – I’ve become horribly cynical about any of the so-called advances in HIV/AIDS research that would in any shape or form that would reduce prevention. The first thought I had upon seeing the news of this vaccine, was great, now people are going to start thinking they’re immune and all the work that’s been done over the years on education and prevention will fly out the window. The conservative religious right will pounce on this to prevent even less money be spent on programs teaching people about safe sex, because now of course it will no longer be needed. This is just the sort of thing that could cause an upsurge in the epidemic.

The other question to ask is how long will it take the virus to mutate and become immune to the vaccine? As Elizabeth points out it already doesn’t work on the most common strain in Africa. All one needs do is think about the fact that viruses and bacterial infections routinely build up resistance to vaccines and antibiotics to question how long a vaccine will actually be effective.

We must keep up the fight for adequate funding for preventative measures – they are the only sure fire way of stopping the disease.

]]>