December 1, 2001

10:21 AM

This is ground zero of the worst epidemic in the history of humanity.The Globe and Mail reports on AIDS in Botswana, where 38.5% of the adult population is infected (52% of those between 19 and 29). And yet, even here, there is reason to hope: a mobilized population, a government on-side, and ambitious research programs.
posted by mcwetboy (4 comments total)

What has been predicted before now may yet still come true: the huge infection rates in parts of Africa may lead to the identification of many individuals who are naturally resistant; examining these individuals will allow it to be determined what factors, if any, these resistant individuals have in common. We will hope that it's a biological characteristic (rather than a behavioral one) that can be instigated or introduced into uninfected, at-risk populations so that it may become a vaccine.
posted by Mo Nickels at 1:30 PM on December 1, 2001

The Globe and Mail link above currently points to an article by Leah McLaren. (The website of 'Canada's National Newspaper' is a national embarassment.) This link works for me. And the article should show up here eventually.
posted by todd at 3:06 PM on December 1, 2001

What the hell -- ? Sorry about the link, everyone. And thanks to todd for providing a solution. (I did post the right link, I did! Honest! Not my fault!)
posted by mcwetboy at 3:57 PM on December 1, 2001

The story has now been posted at the author's website.
posted by todd at 6:16 AM on December 14, 2001