AIDS programme faces donor fatigue

Article Abstract:

The Global Programme on AIDS, or GPA, is a high-profile program of the World Health Organization (WHO) founded to combat the rising AIDS epidemic. However, GPA now faces a severe financial shortfall, and pledges are falling 30 percent behind the planned 1991 budget of $100 million. Michael Merson, director of GPA, points out that an estimated 8 to 10 million people worldwide are now thought to carry the AIDS virus; donations are levelling off at a time when the epidemic is continuing to grow. However, some experts feel that GPA is not attacking the problem properly, and that requesting more money to expand existing programs is less important than ensuring that current funds be properly spent. This is particularly true if factors which contribute to the spread of AIDS are not addressed. One example cited is the monetary incentive given to the poor in India to donate blood; this is regarded as a major factor in the explosion of HIV infection in that country. Hilary Hughes, editor of the 'AIDS action' newsletter, feels that it is necessary for GPA to forge links with local organizations with direct ties to the people, rather than with the governmental agencies of developing countries. Government run national programs often have little effect on the majority of a nation's population. However, Hiroshi Nakajima, director-general of WHO, does not support working through non-governmental agencies, and it is uncertain whether GPA director Merson will be able to follow through on his intention to develop stronger links with non-governmental organizations. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Economic aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, International aspects, Prevention, World health, AIDS (Disease), editorial

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Can they rebuild us?

Article Abstract:

When researchers were successful in the 1990s, firstly, in cloning Dolly the sheep and, secondly, in creating cultures of human embryonic stem cells, science looked set to combat disease and aging by being able to create cells that are genetically matched to a patient, thus greatly reducing the risk of rejection. Experts today, however, believe that therapeutic cloning is prohibitively expensive, but they see the future of regenerative medicine in reprogramming cells to perform different functions.

Health aspects, Research, Genetic engineering, Cloning, Embryology, Experimental, Embryological research, Regeneration (Biology), Cell hybridization

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Melioidosis? Never heard of it..

Article Abstract:

Melioidosis is a disease caused by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which goes misdiagonised as it triggers multiple symptoms that mimic those of other diseases. This disease is found to effect anyone paddling in the flooded paddy fields that surround Ubon Ratchathani, a provincial capital in northeast Thailand and the hospital admits that every year about 200 people test positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Thailand, Diagnosis, Development and progression, Bacterial infections, Pseudomonas infections

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