Instapundit linked to what appeared to be a potential cure for HIV.
I have mixed reactions.
First, I was encouraged. HIV is a scourge that has the potential to match the destruction of the Black Death of medieval times. Finding a way to stop it is a good thing. It needs to be done before it mutates and starts to become airborne.
Second, I was skeptical. Notice that it comes from the BBC. In case you went to public school, the first “B” stands for “British”. One of the things I have noticed when using Drudge as a source is that the vast majority of headlines that talk about miraculous progress in medicine come from British newspapers and are vastly overblown. Usually when they claim a breakthrough it is simply because someone wanting more money says they have hopes of a breakthrough. I am tired of reading about cures for diabetes, cancer and HIV that are nothing but dreams and drama.
Third, I have the same concern I have when I read about breakthroughs in weight control. You know the dream of all us gluttons: Eat all you want of whatever you want and still lose weight. When I finally conceded that I was diabetic I had a choice. I could either control my weight or start learning to use a needle. In my case diabetes was a behavior issue. I am a glutton. I love food. It is a character flaw. The only way I could avoid serious health issues was to control my appetite. HIV is in the same category. It has deadly consequences. It is also a behavior issue. We could do away with HIV in a generation. All it would take is abiding by Biblical standards of sexual behavior and the virus would not be passed on. Yes, I know that you can get it from blood transfusions and such. The statement is still true.
So don’t get too excited. Cures are good. Promises are elusive.
homo unius libri
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.