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This mindset of spending so much for a cure is equivalent to telling people not to bother washing their hands to prevent colds, we’ll just find a cure for colds. Or telling people not to bother quitting smoking, or watching what they eat, because we’ll just simply find a *cure* for whatever afflicts them.

Then all the blame for the consequences is on the people who didn’t find the cure. It absolves people of personal responsibility. Besides, with all those other diseases, we already ARE advising lifestyle choices, something that isn’t happening with the AIDS/HIV issue.

So what happens next? Say a vaccine is discovered? The next step would be making it mandatory for the entire population just because some might at some point engage in risky behavior? Or become the victim of unfortunate circumstances? Just like what is happening with the HPV vaccine?

Those infected with AIDS/HIV have a moral responsibility to stop their behavior that they KNOW will result in the deaths of others and stop shifting the blame for that on anyone else who hasn’t found a cure.

But moral behavior is something the GLBT community is not known for, so I wouldn’t expect this level of responsibility from them.

Outstanding post. Just outstanding.

This mindset of spending so much for a cure is equivalent to telling people not to bother washing their hands to prevent colds, we’ll just find a cure for colds. Or telling people not to bother quitting smoking, or watching what they eat, because we’ll just simply find a *cure* for whatever afflicts them.

Just a suggestion: do both.

Tell smokers not to smoke AND work to develop treatments for lung cancer.

Tell people in Africa at risk for HIV to avoid risky behaviors (and tell them how to do so), AND also work to develop treatments and maybe even a cure.

Tell people who are obese or who have a family history of heart disease to exercise and eat right, AND also work to find better cholesterol lowering medications, etc.

Life isn't a zero sum game.

well said!

This mindset of spending so much for a cure is equivalent to telling people not to bother washing their hands to prevent colds, we’ll just find a cure for colds. Or telling people not to bother quitting smoking, or watching what they eat, because we’ll just simply find a *cure* for whatever afflicts them. Then all the blame for the consequences is on the people who didn’t find the cure. It absolves people of personal responsibility. Besides, with all those other diseases, we already ARE advising lifestyle choices, something that isn’t happening with the AIDS/HIV issue. So what happens next? Say a vaccine is discovered? The next step would be making it mandatory for the entire population just because some might at some point engage in risky behavior? Or become the victim of unfortunate circumstances? Just like what is happening with the HPV vaccine? Those infected with AIDS/HIV have a moral responsibility to stop their behavior that they KNOW will result in the deaths of others and stop shifting the blame for that on anyone else who hasn’t found a cure. But moral behavior is something the GLBT community is not known for, so I wouldn’t expect this level of responsibility from them.

Very nicely said.

This mindset of spending so much for a cure is equivalent to telling people not to bother washing their hands to prevent colds, we’ll just find a cure for colds. Or telling people not to bother quitting smoking, or watching what they eat, because we’ll just simply find a *cure* for whatever afflicts them.

The thing is: Medicine is about finding cures. Or to quote House, M.D.: " Isn't treating patients why we became doctors? - No, treating illnesses is why we became doctors. Treating patients is what makes most doctors miserable.

A doctor will tell an alcoholic to get help, knowing full well that he won't. And that's ok, because it's not his job to get people to change.

Then all the blame for the consequences is on the people who didn’t find the cure. It absolves people of personal responsibility. Besides, with all those other diseases, we already ARE advising lifestyle choices, something that isn’t happening with the AIDS/HIV issue.

The problem is: The moment we begin to exclude "lifestyle choices" from medical coverage and research, the whole system will unravel. Let's say no funding for HIV/AIDS. Fine, I'm HIV-negative. But then I also insist on excluding diabetes type II and cardiovascular disease from being covered. Because that's a hundred times more costly for the general public. I am a health nut, I work out at least 5 hours a week, 5 hours during which other people can generate additional income, but still I am forced to pay for their repulsive lifestyle choices... and so forth, playing devils's advocate here...

So what happens next? Say a vaccine is discovered? The next step would be making it mandatory for the entire population just because some might at some point engage in risky behavior? Or become the victim of unfortunate circumstances? Just like what is happening with the HPV vaccine?

Basically. Maybe not mandatory, but recommended. Because it's a.) cheaper to vaccinate 100% than to treat 1-2% and b.) the best hope of containing / eradicating the disease.

But moral behavior is something the GLBT community is not known for, so I wouldn’t expect this level of responsibility from them.

The problem is: As so often you cannot legislate morals. That's like saying "Only moral people should be allowed to have guns". Doesn't work. Sometimes the greater good (avances in medicine / gun rights) means that you have to live with the side effects (more gun accidents, giving guns to people you don't like / treating people you don't like). But that doesn't necessarily mean that the overall objective is wrong (freedom from opression, protecting your family / freedom / protection from disease).