SCI/TECH: Gel May Block HIV Transmissions, page 1

posted on Oct, 14 2004 @ 08:32 PM

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A newly developed gel appears to be successful in blocking the transmission of AIDS from one partner to another during heterosexual sex. The gel is currently being tested in monkeys.

www.guardian.co.uk
A new cream or gel could block the transmission of HIV in heterosexual intercourse, according to new research today. The treatment is expensive, and so far has been tested only on monkeys. But last year the world total of those infected with HIV reached 38 million, half of whom are women.

"We have identified a key target for strategies to control vaginal HIV transmission and have a candidate molecule that blocks this target," said Michael Lederman of Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, who reports in the journal Science.

They worked with scientists in Geneva to develop a microbicidal molecule, PSC-Rantes, which they tested on monkeys. Those treated with high doses resisted HIV infection.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

This is great news. An easily applicable gel or cream may have the most benefit in third world countries with high AIDS rates, where education alone doesn"t lower the spread of AIDS beyond a certain threshhold.

Related News Links:
www.miami.com
story.news.yahoo.com
www.mercurynews.com

[edit on 14-10-2004 by Zipdot]

TCR

posted on Oct, 14 2004 @ 09:59 PM

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Thanks Zipdot for the news links. Anything that can help curb the epidemic is great news. From reading some of the linked news stories, this may be ready for human trials next year. Nice to see it isnt something that we will still be waiting ten years on.

Zipdot

posted on Oct, 14 2004 @ 10:48 PM

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It wouldn't be ethical to "test" this inhibitor on humans.

Abstinence is obviously the safest way to avoid contracting AIDS. Having one sexual partner and getting tested for STDs regularly is much safer than having sex with someone with AIDS, no matter what protective prophylactic or gel is used.

Education works pretty well in the rest of the world, why doesn't it work in certain third world countries?

Thinking this through, I really see no immediate use for the product -- it's expensive and in order for it to work one has to have intercourse with someone carrying the AIDS virus. This type of medicine will probably be more useful in aiding future research into AIDS cures.

Zip

parrhesia

posted on Oct, 14 2004 @ 10:53 PM

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Only heterosexual sex? No comment on it's potential use in anal sex (whether it be between a man and a woman or a man and a man)... I can imagine why the differences, but It'd be interesting to hear more about this, that was a very short article.

GradyPhilpott

posted on Oct, 14 2004 @ 11:34 PM

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Don't get your hopes up. This gel is a substitute for condoms. Unless the price is comparable to the price of condoms the likihood of widespread use is small. Even if they give it away, it would would require some forethought and planning, something that is not always common among the sexually aroused. There is also the problem of those who don't believe that HIV and AIDS are related and would not understand the importance of protection anyway.

Sexual promiscuity is the behavior that most facilitates the spread of AIDS. In these days, having sex with anyone whom you don't know well, regardless of prophylactic measures or not, is totally insane.

ChartreuseMonkey

posted on Oct, 14 2004 @ 11:49 PM

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I must say that it is true that this gel might not be very effective. Abstinence might be the only truly effective way to stop this thing. In the heat of the moment people are not going to stop to apply a gel.

It is true that the highest numbers of individuals with AIDS tends to be in poorer countries with an under-educated population, but why is it that these people ... like it was posted in a reply ... not focus on the cure instead.