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Political correctness and AIDS
Topic Started: Dec 2 2010, 05:30 AM (530 Views)
George K
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Finally
:popcorn:

On World AIDS Day, Let's Remember the True Forgotten Victims

World AIDS Day has rolled around again, amid charges by C. Everett Koop that "HIV is no longer on the public's radar screen, and the result is deadly serious." That's what the 94-year-old former Surgeon General told the 2010 National Summit on HIV Diagnosis, Prevention and Access to Care in late November. The disease is becoming "the forgotten epidemic," he claimed, causing a dangerous "growing sense of complacency."

AIDS forgotten? Sure, like Sarah Palin is forgotten.

The term HIV brings up over 100 million Google hits over the just the past year. Nor is it even an epidemic. U.S. AIDS cases peaked 17 years ago, then plummeted to a steady "endemic" level within three years. Worldwide, a UNAIDS report released last week states the epidemic peaked 11 years ago in terms of cases, with infections peaking much earlier.

It's Koop who's worried about being forgotten. So let's indulge him. Let's recall that he was among the worst perpetrators of AIDS mass hysteria, which I first debunked in a 1987 article and then my 1990 book The Myth of Heterosexual AIDS.

In 1987, just before my article appeared, Koop popularized the term "heterosexual AIDS explosion." That same year he told People magazine there wasn't "any chance that the AIDS threat might be exaggerated" and that "among heterosexuals there are going to be 20 times as many cases between now and 1990." Note the absolute certainty in the wording, which typifies pseudo-experts and activists, as opposed to the guarded terminology used by real experts such as "some estimates indicate" or "could be."

Koop's 1988 "Understanding AIDS" report, mailed to every household in the nation, was aimed at democratizing a disease with specific risk groups caused by extremely specific risk factors. A heterosexual couple appears in the first picture, with the first captioned image that of what appears to be a lesbian saying AIDS is also a woman's disease. Lesbian-to-lesbian sexual contact as a risk factor? "To date there are no confirmed cases," declared a 2008 CDC report 18 years later.

I warned 23 years ago that the emphasis on middle-class white heterosexuals was taking badly needed attention away from where the real growth was, blacks. Didn't Koop have access to this information? Today American black males have 30 times the HIV infection rate of white females.

Still, did Koop and his alarmist allies help at all? There's no evidence whatsoever. HIV transmission rates peaked in 1981, the same year the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) realized something unusual was happening. Only six years later did federal prevention efforts began. (Not surprisingly, if you understand how the public health establishment works, I got these peaking data from a CDC document that states in huge blue letters: "DRAMATIC DECLINE INDICATES SUCCESS IN HIV PREVENTION." Right.)

Koop forsook his job as the nation's top doctor to become an activist. So doing he became a darling of the media, activist groups, and the wine-and-cheese set. And we all continue to pay a horrible price for it.

As to "forgotten but not gone:"

*HIV/AIDS accounts for just one out of every 146 U.S. deaths

*It killed just 74 children under age 13 in 2007 out of 40,000 total, or one in 542.

*That year twice as many infants died of other diseases as the total number of Americans who died of AIDS.

Yet HIV/AIDS will receive over $3 billion in the 2011 federal research budget. That doesn't include an entirely separately funded "infectious disease" category. Granted, it's shy of the 100 billion gagillion that Dr. Evil wanted in order to ransom the earth, but:

*HIV/AIDS gets about $200,000 per patient death in the NIH research budget, according to calculations from the FAIR Foundation (Fair Allocations in Research). We spend 21 times more per AIDS death than cancer death. Pancreatic cancer will strike about 43,000 Americans this year and is essentially a quick death sentence. It gets 1% of the funding per death as AIDS.

*Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are the nation's sixth and 14th-leading causes of death of death respectively, yet HIV/AIDS gets 34 times and 25 times more per fatality respectively.

*The disparity is all the worse when trends are considered. While AIDS cases and deaths remain level, those of Parkinson's inexorably climb while Alzheimer's fly off the chart.

Posted Image

It could be a modern blessing: "If you contract a disease, may it be as 'forgotten' as AIDS." And no, it's not homophobic to point out that AIDS is essentially 100% preventable while none of these other diseases is preventable at all.

Further, the vast majority of federal AIDS spending can't possibly lead to a cure or vaccine or prevent a single new case. Of the approximately $26 billion budgeted this year for HIV/AIDS, only 11% will go for research and 3% for prevention. The rest is care, cash and housing assistance. Federal non-research AIDS spending far exceeds the combined research grant budget for all diseases combined-including AIDS! This even as NIH has to turn away over three-fourth of grant applicants.

That's what passes for "compassion."

And last month a new study was announced that indicates that a combination of two drugs acts as a highly "preexposure prophylaxis" when taken regularly. Toss those condoms, guys! But the cost is $4,000 - $14,000. And guess who it's being hinted should pay for prescriptions for the nation's entire population that engages in high-risk activities? Yes, give and give generously. Uncle Sam insists.

Why such grotesquely favorable treatment for AIDS? Partly it's simple inertia. But much is because a huge AIDS bureaucracy now exists, with vast numbers of organizations and their employees voraciously feeding at various international, national, state and privately funded troughs.

Truly forgotten diseases are everywhere, though a better term is simply "unrecognized." Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis are the ninth leading cause of death in this country, causing three times as many deaths as AIDS; but probably most people don't even know what these kidney diseases are. "Nephritis" got 1.3 million Google hits over the past year. Far more important, fewer than 2,000 published medical papers appear on Medline. Yet in the past year alone, there have been about 21,000 concerning HIV.

The lesson here, Koop said in his talk with no hint of irony, is "If you tell people the truth, in a very factual way, they will act."

No, the lesson is you can indeed fool most of the people most of the time. And then become a hero for it. Another lesson is disinformation can cause indefinite devastation. Nobody knows how many people have already died because disproportionate AIDS spending has robbed other diseases of badly-needed funds, much less those who will in decades to come. But they are the ones who have truly been forgotten.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Bolded part for one of our members.

Interesting that he doesn't comment on AIDS in other parts of the world.
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jon-nyc
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Friend of mine's 2 yr old was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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Copper
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Shortstop

No need for research.

Tell the "population that engages in high-risk activities" to behave.

End of problem.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Frank_W
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In "Decision Points," George W. Bush goes on quite at length, about addressing the AIDS problem in Africa, and in fact, for all of his anti-American hubris, Bono from U2 was a frequent visitor to the Bush White House, and he and the Bush family are friends.
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
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Klaus
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HOLY CARP!!!
One can justify the overproportional pending on AIDS research by the AIDS number in some African countries. If you take the people dying there into account as well in the death statistic things may look quite different.

That said, there is a political correctness issue associated to AIDS, and the article is right to point this out. I support AIDS research to help developing countries, but not because a large fraction of those suffering from AIDS in industrialized countries are gay.
Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman
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Klaus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Copper
Dec 2 2010, 06:55 AM
No need for research.

Tell the "population that engages in high-risk activities" to behave.
A very stupid remark.

Do you know how many children are born with HIV?

Do you know that more than 50% of the population have HIV in some areas of the world?
Even if you'd be monogamous your whole life chances are that you'll contract HIV in these areas.

Probably you also believe that those who suffer from AIDS "deserve it".
Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Klaus: I agree - and Africa should really do something about that. That's as much a cultural issue as anything though, where one in four men *admit* to having raped women before (how many aren't admitting it in the survey?).
From an article posted here several months back"
 
South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world, Human Rights Watch says on its website. A 2009 report by the nation's Medical Research Council found that 28 percent of men surveyed had raped a woman or girl, with one in 20 saying they had raped in the past year, according to Human Rights Watch.


I don't think that the U.S. federal spending on AIDS needs to be associated with epidemic levels of the disease found in Africa - tragic and preventable as it is, it isn't something we can force them to pay attention to, or act on. We do important work there for sure, but it doesn't justify spending the money we are on HIV prevention in our society where levels are very stable - when diseases claiming many more lives are truly unknown to the vast majority of people.

Interesting read George - thanks for sharing this. I had no idea about most of it.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Klaus: I think Copper's talking about folks in the U.S. engaging in high risk sexual behavior, and therefore at the highest risk of contracting HIV.
We simply can't enforce our culture in places of the world where different values are used, as I've basically said above.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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JBryan
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I am the grey one
In a lot of these African countries wearing a condom is like wearing a dress.
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Copper
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Klaus
Dec 2 2010, 09:20 AM
Copper
Dec 2 2010, 06:55 AM
No need for research.

Tell the "population that engages in high-risk activities" to behave.
A very stupid remark.

Do you know how many children are born with HIV?

You might want to re-read the story at the top of this thread.

Then consider revising your stupid remark.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Copper
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Klaus
Dec 2 2010, 09:20 AM

Probably you also believe that those who suffer from AIDS "deserve it".

Probably you believe we should forsake all the sick people that don't have aids.

Probably you think they aren't worthy of help since they are wealthy and don't like poor people.

Probably you think you know which diseases are the most important and socially deserving.

Probably I think those are stupid thoughts.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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jon-nyc
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Cheers
Klaus
Dec 2 2010, 09:20 AM
Copper
Dec 2 2010, 06:55 AM
No need for research.

Tell the "population that engages in high-risk activities" to behave.
A very stupid remark.

Do you know how many children are born with HIV?

Do you know that more than 50% of the population have HIV in some areas of the world?
Even if you'd be monogamous your whole life chances are that you'll contract HIV in these areas.

Probably you also believe that those who suffer from AIDS "deserve it".
There you go again, Klaus.
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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sue
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HOLY CARP!!!
jon-nyc
Dec 2 2010, 06:11 AM
Friend of mine's 2 yr old was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
:( A quick read on that doesn't mention anything about a cure.
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Why do we insist on interfering with natural selection on such a ridiculous level?

Yes, yes, cure the diseases, transplant the organs and save and extend people's lives. But to put federal research dollars so out of whack for one disease that is clearly not going to wipe us out is just stupid.
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Agreed. Life is terminal - there is no cure. It results in death 100% of the time.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Copper
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Mark
Dec 2 2010, 10:48 AM

one disease that is clearly not going to wipe us out is just stupid.

Yes, exactly.

It has become a political litmus test.

If you don't support infinite spending on aids research you must be on the wrong side.

And probably an extremist, wingnut, racist bigot who thinks hateful thoughts.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Our government is foul.
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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Frank_W
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Mark
Dec 2 2010, 10:48 AM
Why do we insist on interfering with natural selection on such a ridiculous level?

Yes, yes, cure the diseases, transplant the organs and save and extend people's lives. But to put federal research dollars so out of whack for one disease that is clearly not going to wipe us out is just stupid.
Yeah... Fvck smallpox! Fvck polio! Fvck malaria! Fvck the people whose quality of life has been vastly improved by getting these diseases knocked down.
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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Frank_W
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Mark
Dec 2 2010, 10:55 AM
Our government is foul.
Unless it's your children that are born with polio or AIDS, right?
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Well, Mark clearly said: "Yes, yes, cure the diseases, transplant the organs and save and extend people's lives."
So clearly he's not promoting smallpox, polio, and Malaria to wipe out the human race. His point is well made though - the research funding going into HIV (based on the article above of course) appears to be extremely disproportionate to the diseases that are actually killing large numbers of people.
I think it's a valid criticism, and a question for our government to be held accountable for.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Frank, I wasn't saying to not do these things but just to do them in the realm of reality and sanity.
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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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God
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Junior Carp
Mark
Dec 2 2010, 10:48 AM
Why do we insist on interfering with natural selection on such a ridiculous level?
Well, science and medicine come from the intelligence of your species. To employ them as a survival mechanism is not INTERFERING with natural selection, but actually part of its very process. Intelligence is the component that 'nature' allegedly 'selected' for to render you the dominant species. So all is right with the world, so quit your whining.

UNLESS......

Man is NOT part of 'nature'. This has been a meme for millenia amongst your species. That there is nature, and then there is man. Things man does are not natural, nor part of nature. Why is this notion so embedded in your collective human subconscious? ...that man is external to the natural order of your world. What could be behind that? Well, I know! But I'm not saying. It would spoil everything. But suffice it to say, its JUICY!!! Oh you're gonna be blown away. I almost cant wait to tell....but well, time is meaningless to me, so its no sweat. :smokin:
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Frank_W
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Well, I don't know what Obama's plans are, but I know that George W. Bush had exactly the same opinion: It does no good to dump all of the money in the world into a bottomless pit. The money was spent with an absolute reliance on measurable results. It is/was a very responsible policy, and it was aimed at three things: Mosquito netting being made available to people, education, and getting enough medicine to the various clinics so that people actually stand a chance of living, even if they are diagnosed with full-blown HIV.
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
from the opening post
 
Posted Image
Yep, resource allocation is out of whack.
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Frank:
Do you mean the money spent on HIV research? We haven't had measurable results - the outbreak peaked in the 80's, and has been stable since, yet we continue to research, even though it's not spreading wildly. I think if there was reliance on measurable results, the funding would've at least been "adjusted" a long time ago.
Edited by KlavierBauer, Dec 2 2010, 11:56 AM.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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