This Is An Outrage...

[Iacobus]

AIDS is an epidemic because of the rate at which it spreads, etc.

It was passed over to humans probly by eatting monkey meat. The reason it is thought of as a gay deasie was that when it was 1st breaking out there was a huge breakout in the gay lifestyle. One airline stweard gave HIV/AIDS to over 300 people. All gay who than went to spread it to other gays. Thus it seemed like a gay only outbreak. But if it was in a heterosexual stweard it would have been an outbreak in the hetero community.

Many people got it from using drugs (their "reward") but also many got it in the early 1980's from blood transfusions and later from mothers giving birth to HIV/AIDS postive kids.

All I mean is that if Reagan started reseacrch in 1983 and not 1987, we would be four years ahead and some of the people in the 80's could have recived some treatment.

Did anyone hear about Nancy? She is supporting stem cell now.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

[quote name='Iacobus' date='Jun 8 2004, 09:43 AM'] Did anyone hear about Nancy? She is supporting stem cell now. [/quote]
Is she supporting stem cell research where the stem cells come from embryos? Or is it where the stem cells come from other sources such as umbilical cords or fat deposits?

I'm all for stem cell research, but embryonic stem cell research is morally unacceptable. Besides, we're going to need to be able to get stem cells from adults if any of this research is going to be useful. Pathologists say that fat extracted using liposuction has high concentrations of stem cells. I know liposuctions are performed very regularly and thus scientists should be able to get their stem cells without having to kill a person.

[Iacobus]

[quote name='1337 k4th0l1x0r' date='Jun 8 2004, 10:54 AM'] Is she supporting stem cell research where the stem cells come from embryos? Or is it where the stem cells come from other sources such as umbilical cords or fat deposits?

I'm all for stem cell research, but embryonic stem cell research is morally unacceptable. Besides, we're going to need to be able to get stem cells from adults if any of this research is going to be useful. Pathologists say that fat extracted using liposuction has high concentrations of stem cells. I know liposuctions are performed very regularly and thus scientists should be able to get their stem cells without having to kill a person. [/quote]
She is basicly the opp of Bush right now. As I gather it she doesn't care where they come from but she wants them used and studied and tested, etc. I assume that would also mean taking it from embrayos.

[Norseman82]

Gay sex and sharing needles was the "gateway" that let AIDS into the "innocent" community.

If people had not been doing gay sex and sharing needles, I doubt that AIDS would have gotten the foothold that it had gotten so quickly.

[Iacobus]

As ti stands yes. But if HIV/AIDS emerged in the normal community it would have spread in that comminty much like it did in the gay community. It was chance that it emerged there. So if it emerged in the gay community and they didn't have sex it would probly not have spread like it did. But AIDS spreads regradless of sexuals leanings but from paratices. Sex (of any kind) with an infected person. Gay or normal it doesn't matter.

[Norseman82]

The bottom line is that it got its foothold because people were doing things they shouldn't have been doing in the first place. Now, if only the general public will wake up and listen to that simple lesson in life.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote] Yep. A similar thing happened at the Paul Wellstone funeral a few years back. Remember that?[/quote]

I remember that. It really helped get Republicans in office.

This is one of the things that disappoints me the greatest about the Democratic party. They will try anything to win. Republicans at least have respect for the dead.

[Ash Wednesday]

I can imagine watching her husband's "long goodbye" was painful for her, which is probably why she's formed her viewpoints with stem cell. I don't think where the research would come from is an issue to her.

She and Ronnie really loved each other, they were a total team. But to be honest I haven't always known what to make of Nancy. I won't really say much right now and the woman is in my prayers -- but consider this -- Reagan said his biggest disappointment in his years in office wasn't Iran Contra -- it was that he wasn't able to get Roe v. Wade overturned.

So to me supporting stem cell research with embryos, even if it would help cure alzheimers, doesn't really seem to jive with what Reagan believed in.

[Mateo el Feo]

[quote name='Iacobus' date='Jun 8 2004, 12:25 PM'] As ti stands yes. But if HIV/AIDS emerged in the normal community it would have spread in that comminty much like it did in the gay community. It was chance that it emerged there. So if it emerged in the gay community and they didn't have sex it would probly not have spread like it did. But AIDS spreads regradless of sexuals leanings but from paratices. Sex (of any kind) with an infected person. Gay or normal it doesn't matter. [/quote]
Just to add a little:

I believe the spread of AIDS was aided by promiscuity in general. That said, I've seen studies which show that the risk of transfer varies based on the type of promiscuity. For example, an HIV-positive male is more likely to infect his female partner than a female to infect her male partner (M->F is riskier than F->M). I vaguely recall that M->M is quite (most?) dangerous, and F->F has a lower chance of infection. The rates of infection vary based on the act.

And then there are all of the other STDs...

[Iacobus]

Promiscuity in general is what spread AIDS. But even with the lower rates in normal sexual intercourse if it was introduced into the "swinger" culture of the 80's it would still have spread.

However, if Regan would have acted it probly wouldn't have done much where it is realy bad (China and Afrika).

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

I don't know if any reaction on Reagan's part would have worked. People have known about Herpes and Ghonorhea for decades and the rates for these diseases is higher than ever. The public is well informed about the danger and effects of the diseases and yet still contract them.

[Iacobus]

It may not have helped but it is much easier to try and deal with an emerging virus when it is still young than when it is widespread.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

I think though that the nature of the disease has alot to do with prevention. For example, SARS(this was supposed to be the next big disease) was kept from spreading too far because people had no problem with putting masks on their faces and staying away from quarantined buildings. I remember the pictures of downtown Hong Kong where everyone was wearing a mask. And SARS was treatable and resulted in death only a small, albeit still significant, amount of time.

AIDS prevention is remarkably simpler than SARS prevention. Yes, there were a few incidents with blood transfusions when it wasn't known that the virus could be transmitted this way, but those cases are extremely extremely rare, if non-existent now. All I have to do to prevent myself from getting AIDS is to remain abstinent and not shoot up drugs. Two things people should be doing anyways! Normal behavior can prevent AIDS, yet people are more willing to look like Michael Jackson to prevent SARS! The spread of AIDS could end today if people were able to control themselves. We can't even end the spread of the common cold, but AIDS CAN be stopped with simple human behavior.

Screwed up world we live in. I can only pray that people change for the better.

[BurkeFan]

Just a note on stuff that was mentioned before, but I found this editorial to be very decent and proper: [url="http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13678"]http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadA...le.asp?ID=13678[/url]

[Thy Geekdom Come]

BurkeFan, are you a regular at FrontPageMag? My brother wrote a piece for them: [url="http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=7005"]Article[/url]