25 Years Of HIV/AIDS
Today marks 25 years since the discovery of HIV/AIDS – a quarter of a century of scientific research, medical advancement and changes in attitude. In those 25 years, HIV/AIDS has claimed more lives than World War I.
In those 25 years gay communities around the world have lived with this virus as a silent, but extremely influential shadow. Lives have been lost, money has been raised, groups have been formed as a response – we’ve had candlelight vigils and quilts, films and theatre, music and memorials. As with so much in life, a great deal of beauty has come out of the misery.
On May 20 1983 the US journal Science published a paper from France’s Pasteur Institute, led by Luc Montagnier. It talked about the discovery of a virus found in a patient who had died of AIDS.
Montagnier’s research led to US researcher Robert Gallo actually determining that the virus was the cause of AIDS. After three years of debate, the two men were equally credited as the people who discovered the virus.
In April 1984, when the virus was discovered, the then US Health Secretary Margaret Heckler said “Today’s discovery represents the triumph of science over a dreaded disease. We hope to have a vaccine ready for testing in about two years.”
If only she’d been right. Or even close. 25 years on HIV treatments have radically improved for most, but the notion of a vaccine is still laced with hope.
According to AFP, when Heckler made that announcement the death toll was below 3,000. These days 25 million people from all walks of life have died, and another 33 million are living with HIV.
Your Thoughts
Hey there, you need to be logged in to get involved with SameSame, click here to login if you're already a member, or here if you need to become a new member.
EricG
said on the 23rd May, 2008