Saturday, September 26, 2009

Thailand's Gamble with Human Life Yeilds a Positive Result

In a nation that has become infamous for its sex trade, Thailand has conducted the largest scale testing of an HIV/AIDS vaccine, and the initial results are promising. The massive test comprised over 16,000 Thai citizens. Half of those in the study were given a placebo vaccine, with the remaining half given the actual vaccination of ALVAC and AIDSVAX, two vaccines that have proven ineffective alone. The combination appears to have some success, with a 31.2% reduction of HIV/AIDS cases reported in the vaccinated group. While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, Thailand's vaccine trial shows hope in halting the transmission of the biological menace.

By Caleb B. Ray

Source: BBC News

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