In a previous post, I talked about how government-funded research contributed to the return of bald eagles from near extinction. Here’s an example of how scientific research directly saves human lives. One of the most dramatic medical developments of the last 40 years is the transformation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) from an inevitable killer to a manageable chronic disease. This has been accomplished by scientific research, much of which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Let’s go back to 1982. I went to a Medicine Grand Rounds at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center about a mysterious new disease affecting gay men. The presenter didn’t have much in the way of research to discuss, which was unusual for this venue. The condition at the time was 100% fatal. The medical community couldn’t even decide on what to call this malady. Public figures, including President Reagan, wanted nothing to do with the disease or its patients. Some called it God’s retribution for the patients’ “sinful lifestyle”. (For a more complete history of the early days of HIV in America, read And the Band Played On, by Randy Shilts. I donated my copy to a library before one of my previous cross-country moves.)
Even though HIV/AIDS wasn’t a politically popular research topic in the 1980’s, scientists at the NIH and L’Institut Pasteur in France went to work. Eventually the virus was identified, although who did the identification was a hotly debated question for years. HIV is different from many other viruses in that its genetic material is RNA rather than DNA; therefore, standard antiviral drugs are ineffective against it. Scientists had to isolate and develop unique drugs that attack various stages of the virus cycle. Taking a cocktail of these drugs, known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been shown to reduce the load of viruses in patients and control the infections that can be fatal. This therapy, for those who have insurance to cover it, has been nothing short of miraculous. HIV-positive people are now living – and thriving – 10 or more years after their diagnosis. I know one person who is at least 25 years post-diagnosis.
HIV/AIDS would still be 100% fatal were it not for the efforts of NIH-funded research. Current epidemics such as Zika and Ebola need continued funding to develop effective treatments against these viruses. This scientific research will save lives, and deserves our support.
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