HIV vaccine gives hope

Last week researchers announced that they have found a preventative HIV vaccine. The wonders of modern science, huh?

Though they were quick to say it's not a cure for the disease, it does prevent the virus from affecting those who are not currently infected with the virus.

Similar to loading up on vitamin C or Echinacea to prevent the common cold, soon all high-risk people will have to do is pop some pills before engaging in activities in which they are more likely to contract the HIV virus.

It is exciting to see that a solution to the HIV epidemic is on the horizon, but will this preventative measure encourage more high-risk behavior?

Just imagine, all a person has to do before going out on a needle sharing, all-night drug binge is pop a little pill.  Incredible, the wonders never cease.

Taking the threat out of high-risk activities will save lives. If the vaccine can be proven 100 percent effective in humans, we may actually see the decline of HIV infections in our lifetime.

And wouldn't it be great if we could all just go out and enjoy life with out the worry of contracting the HIV virus? And there are so many other ways this vaccine could benefit people.

Giving the vaccine to surgery patients prior to an operation would limit medical malpractice suits. Health care costs, in theory, would go down because treating HIV patients would eventually decrease as the vaccine becomes more widely available.

The vaccine will not make it before the Federal Drug Administration for at least one more year.

Maybe it will be like a mumps, influenza, or measles vaccination. Just stick everyone with the vaccine and send them on their way.