 binding to HIV (gray and red). The precise site of VRC01-HIV binding (red) is a subset of the area of viral attachment to the primary immune cells HIV infects.)
ANTIBODY TARGET: Atomic structure of the antibody VRC01 (blue and green) binding to HIV (gray and red). The precise site of VRC01-HIV binding (red) is a subset of the area of viral attachment to the primary immune cells HIV infects.
Image: NIAID VRC
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Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have identified long-sought and elusive broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV in a pair of papers published in the July 9 issue of Science. These proteins produced by the immune system are crucial for creating a preventive vaccine, and could also have therapeutic uses developed in the coming years or decades.
Variations in individuals' immune systems can dramatically affect responses to infection—HIV is no exception. The result generally can be shown as a bell curve, with a group of people whose disease progresses rapidly, a broad middle segment who progress typically, and a small group of "elite controllers" whose immune systems are quite effective at containing HIV viral replication.
The quest to figure out why has focused primarily on the adaptive immune system, because CD4+ and CD8+ T cells have a clearly demonstrated capacity to kill cells infected with HIV. But that response only arises some days, weeks and even months after a person has been exposed to HIV and the virus has integrated itself into cellular DNA, establishing lifelong infection. The adaptive immune response can only contain an established infection, it cannot prevent that infection from occurring at its onset.
B cells are the first line of defense against infection. They attack at the initial exposure to a pathogen, and can prevent the establishment of infection—and HIV is no exception. But there are a number of reasons why it has proved difficult to identify their contribution to neutralizing the deadly virus.
HIV transmission is not very efficient. Exposed persons may avoid infection for a variety of mechanical (barrier) and biological reasons, such as the virus's failure to penetrate to the surface of mucosal tissue or dendritic cell difficulties in latching onto the virus to carry it to a lymph node. So it is challenging to conclusively identify the contribution of a specific immune response that can prevent an initial infection.
Over the years, it has become clear that there are factors other than CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that help to control the virus in at least a portion of those infected with HIV.
Researchers have identified several antibodies that can neutralize the virus. Most of them bind weakly to small, often deep, pockets on the virus. In most instances, once infection becomes established rapidly mutating HIV evolves resistance to those narrowly focused antibodies, often by adding glycans or sugars to its outer envelope, which shields or blocks antibody access to the binding site.
What is needed is an antibody that binds strongly to a surface site on the virus, and which cannot be easily blocked. It is also important that the binding site is greatly conserved across the many strains of HIV.
Researchers at NIH Vaccine Research Center (VRC) decided to look at neutralizing antibodies in the blood of persons who are able to better control HIV infection. Elite controllers were not part of the mix because they seem to control HIV through their adaptive immunological system T cell mechanisms.
Using sophisticated reverse-engineering techniques, the researchers identified three proteins that are broadly neutralizing, which they labeled VRC01, VRC02 and VRC03. They also isolated the B cells that produced them.
The first two antibodies have very similar chemical structures and bind to HIV's gp120 trimer spike on its surface. The virus uses the trimer to link up with a CD4 receptor, which is the first of many steps taken to enter and infect a host cell. The antibody and gp120 spike bind in a way that is, in part, similar to the way that the spike and CD4 receptor bind.
As a result, VRC01 and VRC02 binding is particularly long and strong compared with the bonds formed by other antibodies. Further, the binding site on the gp120 spike is well exposed and not likely to become blocked by the addition of sugars to the viral envelope.
The two antibodies neutralized 91 percent of the 190 different HIV isolates that the team tested. Those isolates represent all of the various clades or strains of HIV present worldwide, says John Mascola, one of the VRC research team leaders. Also, the antibodies were able to neutralize all of the limited number of HIV variants that are transmitted sexually—a key point, because 80 percent of all new infections result from sexual activity.
VRC01 and VRC02 occur naturally and are produced by what are called RSC3 memory-specific B cells, an extremely rare component of the immune system. Using flow cytometry, the NIH team could isolate only 29 of those cells from among the 25 million cells that they screened. Furthermore, the proteins produced by those B cells often are immature and it appears that the proteins must undergo a series of combinations before they become functional VRC01 or VRC02.
X-ray crystallography allowed the researchers "to identify the [antibody's] binding site down to the atomic level structure…. It is a particularly invariant part of the CD4 binding site, which is exposed," Mascola says. He calls that knowledge "a blueprint from which to design new vaccines. It allows us to try to design a protein that mimics and presents that specific site to the immune system" to stimulate B cells "to crank out the antibody."
Mascola acknowledges the complex nature of the VRC01 and VRC02 antibodies and their low naturally occurring numbers may prove to be an obstacle to developing a vaccine. It is too early to understand all of the issues surrounding the stimulation of antibody production and the concentration necessary to afford protection from infection.
The VRC research team has designed vaccine antigens that already are in preclinical study in small animals. If those prove successful, the work may advance into a monkey model, although it is not completely clear how monkeys can control the simian version of HIV and not progress to advanced disease. The identification of VRC01 and VRC02 may also help to advance a better understanding of the disease in monkeys.
Mascola says these discoveries also may lead to development of a "therapeutic vaccine" or immune-based therapy that helps train the immune system of an HIV-infected person to better control the virus without the use of drugs.
It may be possible to mass-produce these antibodies for passive administration as an adjunct or substitute for current small molecule drugs used to treat HIV. And if production costs can be reduced sufficiently there may be a role for them in topical microbicides as a preventative for HIV exposure.
Editor's Note (7/09/10): This story has been edited after publication to correct statements that identified B cells and the antibodies they produce as part of the innate immune system.
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Add CommentThinks you mean "hurdle" (obstacle) versus "hurtle" (to drive violently).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hurdle
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hurtle
Antibodies produced by innate immune system ????
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiselusive broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV in a pair of papers published in the July 9 issue of Science. These proteins produced by the innate immune system
It should be adaptive immune system ...please change it
Well, I believe that is the discovery though. We all know that the adaptive immune response is responsible for the production of antibodies by means of the B cells but as stated in the paper by the time the adaptive immune response has taken action HIV has had time to become part of the DNA making the person infected for life. Plus, the adaptive immune response can only contain an established infection, it cannot prevent that infection from occurring at its onset, which defeats the purpose of looking for a vaccine using antibodies from the adaptive immune response. The purpose of the research was to find a way for the innate immune response to fight HIV before it becomes part of the DNA. They stated that they have found an extremely rare naturally occuring memory B cell in some individual's innate immune response. This cell is able to fight off HIV upon initial exposure to the body. This is what the research is looking into.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe should of had a cure along time ago. Our lovely government always steps in and prolongs things in my opinion, If this is a new break through it will be years before it goes into effect due to the government once again. Why is it that Magic Johnson mysteriously no longer had the HIV virus? Money & Politics play a huge role.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthat is not a very scientific way of looking at this article, scientists are non-bias, they are just curious and interested people who are trying to figure out why things are the way the are...judgment will get you nowhere in this field and will not allow you to truely appreciate where science has taken us today
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thismagic johnson didnt mysteriously get rid of the virus. please do ur homework before you post something. His viral load was undetectale, which means (uner 50) but by no mans he is cured of the virus. At first they did think he was cured but then it came out that the viral load was undetectable...which does not mean cured. there is no cure for the disease yet!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisseconding vikisai's comment - these antibodies have up to 66 mutations in them, as expected of adaptive immunity. Where did this claim of 'innate immunity' come from?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this@Bellacarino
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree!
Antibodies like IgA sit at a unique junction between adaptive and innate immunity. Made by B cells of the adaptive immunity system, they coat the linings of all mucosal barriers as part of the innate immune system.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm very hopeful that in the near future we can induce an IgA dimer using these discoveries for expression on mucosal barriers that will halt the HIV virus before it invades. This has been a long time coming, and as someone who is about to graduate from medical school I'm very excited about the possibilities. Short of preventing infection, therapeutic treatment once infected may soon be possible.
As for those who think this is politically driven, you clearly don't understand the people working to find a cure. I'm sure they all know someone who has succombed to this scourge, and their motivations are as pure as the hatred and misunderstanding that has plagued this epidemic for decades. Money can't purchse a discovery; sometimes it's dumb luck but most of the time, it takes repeated trips back to the drawing board and long days and nights in the lab. As the article stated, they were looking for 29 cells among 25,000,000 cells-roughly 1 in a million. God bless Dr. Mascola, the NIH, and all the researchers who've dedicated their careers to annihilating HIV.
Seriously people?! Are you reading what you are writing before hitting "submit"?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this#1. How DARE anyone pass judgement on anyone else regarding how they contracted an illness! Cigarettes are a choice and kill more people every year than AIDS, murders, suicides, fires, car crashes, alcohol, and drug abuse COMBINED! But you are making some moral statement based on what, Religion? Nice.
#2. Magic Johnson is not "cured" get over yourself and come up with a better argument for your conspiracy theory. Ever notice that those kind of theories are so much more far fetched than the truth? The truth is Johnson was able to find a combination of HAART that allowed his viral load to be undetectable - his RNA still identifies him as HIV+.
#3. Scientists, researchers, private and public companies are working to find cures for a myriad of diseases right now - they aren't just working to fight HIV/AIDS. Because of national funding for scientific research and a variety of other issues, people choose to research illnesses and diseases based on where the is funding available. Ever sit back and think why in the past 10 years has there been such an influx of breast cancer research and awareness? It is because a lot of great marketing and advertising done by Komen. It is one of the most treatable cancers and yet it is the highest funded...why aren't the deadlier cancers being funded more? BECAUSE THERE IS NO MONEY!!! Not to mention the founder of Susan G. Komen was besties with George W Bush and was appointed to the committee that designates the NIH funding for cancers. Researchers will flock to this disease because the money is there - I am sorry but you can't fault someone for working to cure something because they make money doing it.
If you want to change things then go out there and raise the awareness. Start a support group, go back to college, change your career - you become a researcher. Go do something more nobel. And seriously, for the love of everything pure and holy...keep your "conspiracy theories" and "people with AIDS are immoral" arguments for your NRA get-togethers and Bible study dinners!
Magic does still have HIV, he is undetectable due to his HIV medication. Undetectable means that his viral load (the amount of the virus in his blood) is too low to detect. Millions of people infected with HIV are undetectable. When people who are undetectable stop taking their medication, their viral loads quickly multiply and they become detectable again.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAmazing article! I have a question...as a layperson, I wonder why they can't use the same technology for replication that they use in DNA identification?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMagic Johnson still has HIV, he is considered "undetectable" as his viral load is not negligible through testing. This is due to the medicine that scientists and the government have made available to the infected! This is a misnomer, relating to what has been circulated about Magic.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThanks for pointing that out. We have updated to correct.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMagic Johnson still has HIV in his instance the virus is dormant and several other instances. But that's not the case for EVERY person who gets HIV. Just like how every case of cancer isn't cured by the same type of treatment. There are people who are naturally resistant to the HIV virus but they are also more likely to get West Nile Virus.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe already have the cure for HIV AND AIDS nice to see they are progressing toward allowing the cure to be released again
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is very encouraging news!!! For some time I have felt (as a HIV ADVOCATE) that far too much attention has been given to creating medications that prolong the life of individuals infected with the virus rather than cure them from the virus. And if the truth be told, it has been more advantageous for pharmaceutical companies to maintain multitudes on medications and pad their bank accounts while doing so. I am however, elated to see that we are finally back on the right track! I realize that everyone wants to prosper and be successful, but we must never succumb to the temptation to extract billions from the multitudes because there are no watchdogs in place and no one questions the motives of powerful pharmaceutical giants. Without a doubt, our total focus and goal should and must always be to cure humanity from this horrific pandemic which has claimed the lives of multiple millions, destroyed heaven knows how many families, and wreaked financial havoc on a global economy already struggling to avoid its demise.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTerry Angel Mason, Global Author
WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM
Terry Angel Mason is an international author and Civil Rights Activist and HIV/ADVOCATE who champions Civil Rights for same-gender loving people here and all over the world. His gifted and exceptional use of prose and poetry has given him a unique platform in which he passionately utilizes to brilliantly shine the light of justice onto the dark and hidden areas of sexual oppression and discrimination. His first breakthrough book, "Love Won't Let Me Be Silent" propelled him to world-wide recognition, touching the hearts and minds of thousands of men and women, inspiring them to stand up for their God given rights. What makes Angel Mason so distinctive and effective as an activist is that he blends an innate zeal for justice with a spiritual insight molded and tempered by love. His literary voice is never strident nor shrill, but still emotionally powerful and compelling! Angel Mason clearly frames and illuminates the critical issues that impact the lives of same-gender loving people everywhere.
July 2010 he was chosen by two internationally distributed magizines as the HIV ADVOCATE FOR THE MONTH
I have always found it odd that people sympathize and flock to support people suffering from diseases such as cancer or MS..or God knows what, but when it involves HIV or AIDS, people shrink back and pass judgment. Someone very very close to me is HIV+ because of sex with an infected woman. His girlfriend of 5+ years. She was unaware she was HIV positive and now he has it. He was doing what anyone else does...albeit without a condom, thinking her birth control would be enough. Fortunately he has been on meds for over 2 years and his viral load is undetectable, just like Magic Johnson's....but he rarely discloses his status, because of how people treat him upon finding out. So very sad....and so very alone feeling as well. For shame.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI wonder if this vaccine could help people w other autoimmune illnesses, like Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc??
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm so sorry your friend contracted HIV but am glad he is doing well and medications are helping him live a normal life...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI wouldn't group all NRA members with holier-than-thou groups! My brotherinlaw is an active member and loves all people and is not judgmental at all!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf this medicine fights off 90% of aids, then what would happen if the person who has HIV takes the medicine twice? Would they be cured or could this put them in even greater danger? Scientist are getting closer to finding a cure so perhaps this medicine and something else could actually get rid of aids in a person without harming the person or have any side affects.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMagic Johnson still has HIV, but his body has adapted with the multiple drug cocktail and it hasn't progressed to AIDS. No one ever said he didn't still have HIV. And furthermore, it's a bit of an ignorant statement to conclude that the government is hiding the cure for HIV. In fact, they are so wrapped up in their own greed and vanity that if a cure was found, it would benefit them in the fact that they would make more money (i.e. the Universal Health Care Bill) and would take our focus off of how our economy has plummeted due to the "War Against Terrorism" (haha, what a joke). Also it would take our focus off of how far they've got their heads up their asses, but hey... That's politics at it's best.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMethod of curing AIDS with tetrasilver tetroxide molecular crystal. Look up this patent (United States Patent 5,676,977) by a company called Antelman Technologies Ltd., but is being withheld.It was issued in 1997, and is also on the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This might be what the basket ball player magic johnson took, he refereed to his as the "magic shot"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy english teacher from back in high school 5 years ago had already known this for many years...doctors just follow the books and only some take their time to do research!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is some good progress. Back in 2005, there was discovery of some peptide protein from alligators/crocodile able to kill the virus completely. Was this followed and what became of it?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI must object to the fact that you think the government would profit from a cure. In reality they would profit more from treating patient symptoms rather than curing them. When you treat the symptoms you keep the customer coming back for more because the root cause of it is not eliminated. When the problem is cured then the customer has no need to ever come back again, resulting in huge loss of profits. Big pharmacy corporations also profit enormously.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhat are the protiens that can help protect the body from it first. how does it work with the body system. the antibody is good but what about getting a lasting solution to this hiv.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhat are the protiens that can help protect the body from it first. how does it work with the body system. the antibody is good but what about getting a lasting solution to this hiv.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiscool stuff. easy does it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTo Mcmakin1207
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI do not believe your comment was a fair one to make. Everyone is intitled to their opinions and comments but in the article it clearly states, "It may be possible to mass-produce these antibodies for passive administration as an adjunct or substitute for current small molecule drugs used to treat HIV. And if production costs can be reduced sufficiently there may be a role for them in topical microbicides as a preventative for HIV exposure." I am not faulting anyone who makes money working hard to find a cure but this has alot to do with the financing for research as well as the finfncing to produce it. You ar right about cigarettes but there are also measures that can be taken to quit smoking and one cannot get rid of the HIV/AIDS virus so that is not a fair comparison.
I agree that funding for each disease research varies but everyone should also know that the higher one goes up the ladder in companies decisions are controled someone or a group of someones that control how and where the funding will be distributed. Conspiracy theories are a claim of civil, criminal or political conspiracy and you so not think this issue falls under one of these claims? The number one issue and number one priority in our nation are our resourses and being overpopulated is rapidly diminishing our natural resourses. Henry David Thoreau stated "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. "
This is a ridiculous scientific find. I agree with some others who are saying these scientists are not even finding cure for these people. They are looking for funding, of course, to fuel their research interests, to give them living. These people demean the profession and vocation of research.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFor more than a decade, the cure for AIDS has already been made available by the Missionaries of Charity. The funny thing behind is that their scientific and sociological find has remained low key profile, never published, never commercialized; but has indeed cured and saved lives of millions...of the poor. J. H. University even offered these nuns millions of dollars, in order to reveal a strand of information to them --- such a pathetic exercise of intellectual arrogance by scientists themselves.... And these are news to me.
And for more than a millennium, nature has found cure for all our health ailments. HIV is not an exception. And the cure is just within your reach.
My live witness to the humble acts of the nuns has indeed convinced me that many scientists and social scientists have pursued research for money. That's why many research works are worth throwing off the garbage bin these days.
It's sad to learn that people just work for the money and prestige. There's no heart to it.
elusive broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV in a pair of papers published in the July 9 issue of Science. These proteins produced by the innate immune system
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt should be adaptive immune system ...please change it
INNATE ANTIBODIES: Atomic structure of the antibody VRC01 (blue and green) binding to HIV (grey and red). The precise site of VRC01-HIV binding (red) is a subset of the area of viral attachment to the primary immune cells HIV infects
There is no INNATE ANTIBODIES. READ MORE ABOUT BASICS OF THE IMMUNOLOGY!!!
I'm one of those "Elite Controllers" and would love to rid my system of this S__T! I also have the other "H", hepatitis and it hasn't advanced TOO much but I'm worried cause I'm ME. If there are any institutions, laboratory, or scientist who needs my blood to study, I am more than willing to participate and help. Please contact jclosyk@yahoo.com.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou need to go back and study alexandre rothen's work at the rockefeller institute in the 1940's. Reanalysis of the difficulties in Pascual Jourdan's proposal in immunology. (yes he of quantum mechanics fame) is needed. Pauling and delbruck's critique against Jourdan's proposal needs to be revaluated in the context of Landauer's finding in computation physics that there is no minimum Kt in signaling. Finally Matzinger 's proposal should be considered very seriously over Janeway's innate theories. Remember also that the needle stick version of transmission tells us something very unique about HIV. The Hiv establishment simply refuses to consider Rohen's proposal for field transmission despite in the context of-- Lafferty's analysis that we've come to a theoretical end.... Lanzavechia's how do we count...... MATZINGER'S DANGER. Now we have the the Hiv establishment dictating the format of science journals without ever doing their homework on who were the original founders of the journal and what was their purpose. Since I'm on a role ,, Why does the viral turnover long recognized after the publication of the Ho and Wei articles (many years ago) while turning over at a high rate not turnover at an exponential rate. And for ten years; before Aids manifestation. Approximately the duration of thymus activity in children. Are you sure there isn't some type of preprogramming in the thymus to deal with the less dangerous pathogens. You open your garage door with field transmission but somehow think bioevolution wasn't smart enough to incorporate it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhen will it come to Africa?{HIV antibody}.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs a person who is HIV all I can say is that I am hopeful. Eventhough I was just recently diagnosed with HIV and haven't experienced any physical woes; it is still a depression in itself. Emotionally, Ideally, and Mentally it is very draining. I would love to see a lot of doctors/scientists working on a cure, however if a vaccine is a way to make sure people later on in life don't have to go through the same things I am then so be it. Keep doing your best Dr. Mascola. I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope you kick this disease's ass!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe article is still incorrect, the antibodies are produced by memory B cells, which are part of the adaptive immune system. The studies have nothing to do with the innate immune system.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe may be closer to fighting this disease better than we are right now or we may be closer to killing it. Stop arguing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere are MANY Christians who do not believe that people with HIV/AIDS are immoral. If the people who did say that actually knew the many ways AIDS could be spread, they would not say that either. My cousin got it from a blood transfusion, granted that was a long time ago. Also, as a baby of an infected mother, during pregnancy, labor or delivery, or through breastfeeding. Health-care workers have become infected with HIV by being stuck with needles containing HIV-infected blood, or infected blood getting into the bloodstream through an open cut, or splashing onto a mucous membrane (e.g. the eyes or the inside of the nose). People who this those infected with HIV/AIDS are simply ignorant and need to educate themselves before they speak.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAmazing breakthrough discovery - This model if perfected sounds like it could be applied to all types of viruses and/or cellular diseases.Back in the 80's I sold hair care products to salons a large percentage of my clients contracted AIDS. I was approached about selling a product called Non-Oxynol -9 aka spermicide there claim was it contained a porcupine molecule that would puncture holes in the T-cells so the HIV virus could not thrive or multipy. Just wondered if there is any truth in that theory or product?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is a good finding. Well done to all the team.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe article states:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Researchers have identified several antibodies that can neutralize the virus. Most of them bind weakly to small, often deep, pockets on the virus. In most instances, once infection becomes established rapidly mutating HIV evolves resistance to those narrowly focused antibodies, often by adding glycans or sugars to its outer envelope, which shields or blocks antibody access to the binding site."
Do these researchers believe they can develop treatments at a rate that can outpace the viral mutation rate? The laboratory tests understandably did not test antibody effectiveness against any future HIV variants...
How soon will this be available on a PCP level? My son has been diagnosed and being treated 4 years for HIV .
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thismy question is ok suppose it is a antibody for aids. Wouldn't that make it easier to catch it and weaken your immune system even more so and make you sicker? Achooooo lol Like what ? you get a cure that makes you perfect then you catch it again and then you even more sick. What about people that was born with the trait?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThanks, RJefferys. We have updated the article to correct this error throughout.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSorry to be complainer, there is plenty of information in the article that's very accurate! Particularly around the issue of elite control, which often gets confusing. One thing that remains though is: "The adaptive immune response can only contain an established infection, it cannot prevent that infection from occurring at its onset." That isn't really accurate, as vaccines that work protect by inducing CD4 T cell and B cell memory and antibodies, which is adaptive immunity. It is generally thought that adaptive *T cell* immunity cannot prevent infection, which is maybe what got lost in translation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNo truth to this as far as I know. Non-Oxyl 9 is actually an irritant and causes tiny "cuts" or abrasions in the canal it is used (i.e. cervix) and therefore transmits the virus more readily. It is not recommended for use - as someone who works with HIV clients, we do not provide ANY condom or lubricant that has Non-Oxyl 9.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBest of luck to you. Hope this helps.
I know not all NRA people are like that. I was making a point that not all HIV+ people are immoral. I am so incredibly tired of hearing people say that individuals that have contracted a disease did so because of sin or because they "chose" to. Like anyone would want this?!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe discrimination needs to stop.
Apparently, the post I was initially responding to was removed - so now I just look like some crazy, tyrannical hater. I am not and please don't think I am passing judgement. I am not. Just trying to make a point.
Agreed! I was trying to make the same point as you to someone who said something that PISSED me off!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUnfortunately, I am not as eloquent a writer as you. I am so tired of hearing that HIV+ people are immoral. This social norm is what makes people afraid to get tested, tell their families and partners and eventually not seek treatment. I weep for the people who are ignorant enough to believe that those with HIV are immoral - I can't imagine how insanely unhappy their lives must be.
I think it does, but what do I know, I'm just the diet today guy at - http://auto-parts-mall.net
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTo ChrisJoe: Thank you for your feedback on my initial post. I think it may help if you re-read my post as it states "cigarettes kill". I am saying that people who do not quit smoking, therefore do not take the precautions necessary to prevent disease...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSomeone before me said that all HIV+ people were immoral. My point is/was, are the people who dont take necessary precautions to prevent illness or those who are unknowingly exposed (ie 2nd hand smoke and/or occupational HIV exposure) equally as immoral? I highly doubt that anyone out there is saying a smoker is "immoral" so why are people with HIV immoral?
It is a comparison of prevention - not disease. Neither those who can't quit smoking and die or those who contract HIV are immoral.
As for research funding - I did cancer research for a very long time and I guess you and I are going to have to agree to disagree. So believe me when I say that I know how the funding is distributed (fair or not) - if you re-read my initial post you will see that I am responding to someone who asked why are we spending so much time funding research for HIV when there are other issues like Hepatitis? Again, my response is that sometimes you dont get to choose your research and you have to go where the money is and there are other people researching other illnesses than HIV and Cancer (like hepatitis).
Anyone that thinks spread of disease is a moral or ethical issue is an idiot. It is an adaptive evolutionary issue. Most of the behaviors that allow HIV to spread are self destructive behaviors simply because they allow disease to spread. It isn't limited to HIV. The same things that allow HIV to spread also spread influenza, rhinovirus, fungal and bacterial nasties and a whole host of viruses.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs a Christian clergyman I am appalled at the satanic hate spouted by supposed Christians. Yes, homosexuality and drug abuse both make my skin crawl but that doesn't mean I should condemn those who engage in these activities. What it does mean is that I should learn why these things happen and where applicable, how to prevent them.
At this point I don't view most homosexuality as preventable nor am I certain how it occurs. Condemning something you don't understand may be a natural response but it isn't a good response. A homosexual woman I know recently saved a life. Should I denounce her as evil or should I celebrate her as a hero? I chose the hero route.
I do view HIV as mostly but not completely preventable. I have heart disease and brought it on myself so I easily understand human failings and the long term pain and suffering it causes. Instead of blaming the victim, how about doing the Christian thing and blame the behavior? By separating the behavior from the person you can influence people to reject the behavior without feeling oppressed or defensive. Yelling insults at me doesn't change my mind. It just makes me view you as a loser scumbag.
Personally, I think we need to spend much more on science and medical research and less on foreign wars. Revamping the welfare system to provide work opportunities and accountability for non-custodial parents wouldn't hurt either.
I'm getting way off topic but I think this research is fantastic and will have impact far beyond just HIV.
Even without the post McMakin1207 was responding to being available I think the response post was excellent.