ctv.ca— Many have tried and failed to create a vaccine that could prevent infection with HIV. Now, Canadian researchers say they have developed a vaccine that takes a different approach.
Feb 6, 2012View in Crawl 4
From the studies I've seen, this vaccine seems to be about 30-35% effective in preventing HIV, which is a HUGE development. Only 20 years ago contracting HIV/AIDS was a death sentence, now the disease can be effectively managed by antiretroviral drugs, and perhaps within the next 10 years we'll have a safe and effective vaccine.
Eradicating AIDS would be a massive step forward for humanity.
There isn't a set percentage like that for assessing if a pathogen can spread. It depends on a bunch of different factors and varies wildly from pathogen to pathogen.
I still think there is something to be said for population control... Could you imagine every country in the world as packed as Japan? I know it's cruel but the world works in mysterious ways.
The population in Japan is declining, without disease, forced sterilization, and genocide. Through education and economic progress instead. Btw, SIngapore is extremely densely populated ..many times more than Japan .. I've been there a few times .. it's great. In fact the streets are fairly empty. I guess people like staying at home. Btw, Singapore is suffering a population crisis ... as in they are trying to INCREASE the population. They need more people .. you see their unemployment rate is just 2%.
It's a great leap forward, and if safe would be a boon for developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is epidemic. Targeting young women in these countries, who are often the victims of rape, will do a great deal of good.
I hope I'm wrong .. but I have my doubts about this, if the theory behind how this particular vaccine works is correct ..we wouldn't be seeing people infected with more than one strain of the HIV virus (except maybe when their CD4 count has been wiped out). However it has been shown that healthy HIV positive people have gotten infected with a second strain before AIDS symptoms even began: http://www.retrovirology.com/content/4/1/67
Even worse, the immune reaction itself seems to have actually sped up the rate of infection. That said, every possible way of combatting this virus should be investigated and is worth checking out, so I hope they proceed.
nachocheaseFeb 6, 2012
From the studies I've seen, this vaccine seems to be about 30-35% effective in preventing HIV, which is a HUGE development. Only 20 years ago contracting HIV/AIDS was a death sentence, now the disease can be effectively managed by antiretroviral drugs, and perhaps within the next 10 years we'll have a safe and effective vaccine.
Eradicating AIDS would be a massive step forward for humanity.
benjie25Feb 6, 2012
I forget what the percentage required to keep something from spreading, but ~30% is close
nullcodesFeb 6, 2012
There isn't a set percentage like that for assessing if a pathogen can spread. It depends on a bunch of different factors and varies wildly from pathogen to pathogen.
nullcodesFeb 6, 2012
It hasn't been tested on humans yet, so who knows what will happen.
deanbonneyFeb 6, 2012
probably you're right, but hopefully Canadian researchers will not declare such widespread important statements if they aren't sure of that.
wizwearincFeb 6, 2012
hopefully in the next 20 years it will be like small pox and no one will have it
http://www.wizwearinc.com/blogs/news/5422212-buy-wiz-wear-products-and-donate-to-the-ymca
searchaheadFeb 6, 2012
Black walnut, fern, worm wood.
spazattack5000Feb 7, 2012
Alchemy cures AIDS. You heard it here first.
dougnic55Feb 7, 2012
really...
tylerquinnFeb 7, 2012
I still think there is something to be said for population control... Could you imagine every country in the world as packed as Japan? I know it's cruel but the world works in mysterious ways.
nullcodesFeb 7, 2012
The population in Japan is declining, without disease, forced sterilization, and genocide. Through education and economic progress instead. Btw, SIngapore is extremely densely populated ..many times more than Japan .. I've been there a few times .. it's great. In fact the streets are fairly empty. I guess people like staying at home. Btw, Singapore is suffering a population crisis ... as in they are trying to INCREASE the population. They need more people .. you see their unemployment rate is just 2%.
jerroldsFeb 6, 2012
Go Canada!
bcm79Feb 6, 2012
It's a great leap forward, and if safe would be a boon for developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is epidemic. Targeting young women in these countries, who are often the victims of rape, will do a great deal of good.
ImperatoreChicoFeb 6, 2012
Try Canadian...
nullcodesFeb 6, 2012
I hope I'm wrong .. but I have my doubts about this, if the theory behind how this particular vaccine works is correct ..we wouldn't be seeing people infected with more than one strain of the HIV virus (except maybe when their CD4 count has been wiped out). However it has been shown that healthy HIV positive people have gotten infected with a second strain before AIDS symptoms even began: http://www.retrovirology.com/content/4/1/67
Even worse, the immune reaction itself seems to have actually sped up the rate of infection. That said, every possible way of combatting this virus should be investigated and is worth checking out, so I hope they proceed.