Jo Robinson reports back from the 2002 Microbicides Conference
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Over 400 activists, scientists, doctors, government officials and researchers
got together in Antwerp on 12-15 May to discuss microbicide research and
development.
Peter Piot, Director of UNAIDS, spoke at the opening session and reminded
us all to keep our feet on the ground. He reminded us how far we had come,
but also how far we have to go. He said, in order to convince investors
we have to get over our lack of confidence and cynicism
Illustration by Helen Jones
in anything other than perfect solutions. He asked the audience to imagine
a world without HIV, and if we could pick a date when we thought it would
all be over. I can honestly say, I couldn't.
That tempered the energy and enthusiasm at this conference for a product
that could well revolutionise our HIV prevention efforts. But, Piot asked
again, would we be better with a microbicide or without it? The answer
is clear, he said: UNAIDS' vision of a world that is successfully defeating
Aids is one that includes microbicides.
What are microbicides?
If someone asks you what a microbicide is, the simplest explanation is
that it's a gel
that, when used in the vagina or the rectum, can help to prevent HIV transmission.
