Papua Considering Chip Implants for HIV Carriers

Yikes! Don't you just love the idiots in charge of governments? Why not a triangle patch? Or a barcode? Oh. That's why. Yeah... via Towleroad:

A doctor involved in the preparation of a healthcare regulation bill in the Indonesian province of Papua cited dangerous behavior among some infected with the HIV as the reason lawmakers are considering the use of microchip implants in tracking some HIV carriers.

Said Dr. John Manangsang: "We in the government in Papua have to think hard on ways to provide protection to people from the spread of the disease. Some of the infected people experience a change of behaviour and can turn more aggressive and would not think twice of infecting others. Among one of the means being considered is the monitoring of those infected people who can pose a danger to others. The use of chip implants is one of the ways to do so, but only for those few who turn aggressive and clearly continue to disregard what they know about the disease and spread the virus to others."

What a great idea!

Senator McCain: I'll take the religious right's 5% to the gay population's 10% for $2,000, Alex

I'm really starting to like Dan Savage. He comments on Presidential Candidate John McCain's royal stupidity about AIDS:

Q: "So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?"

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) "You’ve stumped me."

Q: "I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?"

Mr. McCain: (Laughs) "Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it."

AIDS Virus Weakness Detected

This is some interesting news about the HIV virus.

Scientists have captured an image of the AIDS virus in a biological handshake with the immune cells it attacks, and said on Wednesday they hope this can help lead to a better vaccine against the incurable disease.

This is great news. AIDS transformed the culture of gay men through its devastation -- it wasn't just about sex and hiding out in closets anymore. AIDS brought gay men into the light, and by the same virtue it brought out gay women, too. But AIDS has taken its toll, now on millions of straight people (and a smattering of others) as well as on millions of gay men. I, for one, will not be sad to see it go. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction for both sufferers of AIDS and for medical science in general.

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