Editorials
Wednesday, July 10, 1996
AIDS breakthrough
could spare millions
AIDS has become the horror of our age, the equivalent of bubonic plague of an earlier time. With no cure in sight, its ravages seemed unstoppable. But now for the first time there is a solid basis for optimism. Scientists gathered in Vancouver, B.C., for the 11th International Conference on AIDS have been hearing about research breakthroughs that promise an effective way to deal with the virus.
The key discovery, researchers say, is the power of AIDS medicines in combination. Separately, these drugs have not been successful in combating AIDS; together, they have been found to be much more effective. The combination of drugs seems to be able to stop the HIV virus from reproducing, meaning that it cannot destroy the immune system. The result is the prospect that AIDS will become a manageable disease - an illness that can be kept in check with lifelong treatment.
There are, to be sure, reservations. Scientists warn that the virus might develop resistance to the drug combination. And the treatment is very expensive - up to $13,000 a year for each patient. Only wealthy countries could conceivably afford such an expense. In the poor regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America where AIDS is raging, the cost is out of the question.
In time, the cost could come down. Other medications that were once prohibitively expensive have had their cost reduced sharply as a result of production in volume and improved methods. But that hope will not save the millions of people in Third World countries who are already infected.
The immediate need is for more education on preventive methods, particularly the use of condoms. At the Vancouver meeting evidence was presented that messages on prevention can be effective. In Thailand, for example, HIV infections are running at a quarter of the 1990 rate. The developed countries should support AIDS education in the poorer countries as well as their own. They should also assist in providing cheap drugs to treat the illnesses that often accompany AIDS and are the immediate cause of death, particularly tuberculosis.
Other editorials in brief:
Ceded land revenues
TRANSFERRING more than $170 million from the state's general fund to the strife-torn Office of Hawaiian Affairs seems inconceivable, especially at a time of state budget shortages. But that would be the effect of a ruling by Circuit Judge Daniel Heely in a lawsuit concerning revenues from former Hawaiian government and crown lands. Governor Cayetano pleaded with the Legislature this year to clarify the law regarding revenue from ceded lands. He also warned that unless the conflict with federal law was resolved, the OHA payments law might be declared invalid. The Legislature ignored his warning. While the Cayetano administration appeals Heely's ruling, lawmakers will be up against the wall in next year's session to change the law.
Powell's decision
COLIN Powell generated a surge of suspenseful excitement last year when the country waited for his decision on seeking the presidency. When that decision turned out to be negative, there was disappointment. But in making his announcement last November, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff declared himself a Republican, raising hope that he would campaign for the GOP ticket.
Powell says he is a Republican, but if he is not willing to speak at the Republican convention or work for the party's candidates, what use is he? His unwillingness to take an active role in the campaign may be resented. This decision could hurt him if he decides to be a candidate in a future election.
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Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor