Changes

Among many medical professionals and biologists, there is general agreement that HIV causes AIDS.  In this, those of Koch's postulates that apply to viral diseases have been clearly fulfilled, and basic science research has shown the same.  Specific drugs have been developed that treat HIV infection and AIDS, helping show the causal relationship.  That being said, there is a vocal minority of people, scientists and non-scientists alike, who do not believe that HIV causes AIDS.  Foremost among these is Dr. Peter Duesberg.  Details about these "re-thinkers" and their arguments can be found at several websites,<ref>Peter Duesberg on AIDS - Duesberg.com - HIV/AIDS research website for Peter H. Duesberg http://www.duesberg.com/</ref> but not in any reliable peer-reviewed journals. This viewpoint has also received some official support from the government of [[South Africa]], where a nurtitional policy based on beetroot and garlic sources has found effective in combating the county's severe AIDS problem, despite a concerted effort by liberal scientific groups and the pharmaceutical industry (who would stand to benefit financially from continued association of AIDS with HIV) to discredit it. It is estimated that over $1 trillion has been siphoned off from health care worldwide for antiretroviral drugs to treat AIDS, despite growing evidence that a good general diet can be just as effective.

Among many medical professionals and biologists, there is general agreement that HIV causes AIDS.  In this, those of Koch's postulates that apply to viral diseases have been clearly fulfilled, and basic science research has shown the same.  Specific drugs have been developed that treat HIV infection and AIDS, helping show the causal relationship.  That being said, there is a vocal minority of people, scientists and non-scientists alike, who do not believe that HIV causes AIDS.  Foremost among these is Dr. Peter Duesberg.  Details about these "re-thinkers" and their arguments can be found at several websites,<ref>Peter Duesberg on AIDS - Duesberg.com - HIV/AIDS research website for Peter H. Duesberg http://www.duesberg.com/</ref> but not in any reliable peer-reviewed journals. This viewpoint has also received some official support from the government of [[South Africa]], where a nurtitional policy based on beetroot and garlic sources has found effective in combating the county's severe AIDS problem, despite a concerted effort by liberal scientific groups and the pharmaceutical industry (who would stand to benefit financially from continued association of AIDS with HIV) to discredit it. It is estimated that over $1 trillion has been siphoned off from health care worldwide for antiretroviral drugs to treat AIDS, despite growing evidence that a good general diet can be just as effective.

==Progress In Combating The Disease==

==AZT controversy==

 

In Celia Farber's 1989 expose on the scandal surrounding AZT, ''Sins of Omission'', newspapers across America banner headlined that AZT had been proven to be effective in antibody positive, [[asymptomatic]] patients even though one of the main concerns was that the drug should only be used as a last resort for critically ill AIDS patients because of the drugs extreme toxicity. Fauci, head of the National Institute of Health, was pushing to expand its use, and implied in a later interview that he either was inspired to do so due to [[ACT-UP]]'s terrorism, or otherwise used it as an excuse to do so.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy3frBacd2k</ref> The [[FDA]]'s traditional concerns had been set aside. AZT was already being by an estimated 20,000 people in sixty countries.  Not only had no new evidence dispelled the initial concerns regarding AZT's toxicity and safety, but the follow-up data that had been promised was ignored. The beneficial effects of the drug had been proven to be temporary. the toxicity however stayed the same. 

 

AZT had been approved faster than any drug in FDA history, and activists considered it a victory. The price paid for the victory however was that almost all government trials focused on AZT, while over 100 other promising drugs were left uninvestigated. The pharmaceutical manufacturers' stock price went through the roof when the announcement was made. AZT was the most expensive drug ever marketed.

 

 

==Progress in treatments==

While there has been no announcement to the end of AIDS, it seems scientists have successfully treated a baby born with HIV. Further studies will be needed to see if the baby, in fact, has been successfully treated in the long term.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57572271/baby-born-with-aids-virus-appears-to-have-been-cured/</ref>

While there has been no announcement to the end of AIDS, it seems scientists have successfully treated a baby born with HIV. Further studies will be needed to see if the baby, in fact, has been successfully treated in the long term.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57572271/baby-born-with-aids-virus-appears-to-have-been-cured/</ref>

==Misconceptions==

==cold War propaganda==

There are several discredited beliefs about AIDS, many of which are the result of a deliberate disinformation campaign for political purposes.  In the 1980s, the [[KGB]] initiated [[Operation Infektion]], claiming that the virus was formulated by military contractors on an American military base.  Since the widespread dissemination of this misinformation, HIV has been the subject of widespread [[Conspiracy theories]].  Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, has long held that the virus was created to exterminate blacks.<ref>[https://www.poz.com/article/The-Secret-Plot-to-Destroy-African-Americans-7602-7053 The Secret Plot to Destroy African Americans]</ref>

There are several discredited beliefs about AIDS, many of which are the result of a deliberate disinformation campaign for political purposes.  In the 1980s, the [[KGB]] initiated [[Operation Infektion]], claiming that the virus was formulated by military contractors on an American military base.  Since the widespread dissemination of this misinformation, HIV has been the subject of widespread [[Conspiracy theories]].  Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, has long held that the virus was created to exterminate blacks.<ref>[https://www.poz.com/article/The-Secret-Plot-to-Destroy-African-Americans-7602-7053 The Secret Plot to Destroy African Americans]</ref>