Do you think a cure for AIDS will be found in your lifetime?
Forty percent of respondents to March JADA’s Question of the Month said they think a cure for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, will be found within their lifetimes.
"I am a 40-year-old healthy person," said one respondent who answered yes to the question. "However, if I were a 65-year-old person in poor health, I would have given a different answer."
"From an historical perspective, this is a disease that has not been identified for a long period," said another. "Given the exponential increases in scientific knowledge, I feel that the cure and/or a vaccine will be developed within my lifetime."
Some respondents said they do not think a cure will be found, but they do think that vaccines will be developed.
Others were more skeptical about how effective a cure will be overall. "Yes, a cure for AIDS can be found, but other diseases will no doubt take its place, and new variations of virus attack will occur because of tolerance," said a reader.
Forty-five percent of respondents said they do not think a cure for AIDS will be found in their lifetimes.
Many of those who answered no said they, too, think AIDS will be not be cured, but instead a vaccine will be developed or that maintenance therapy will be used to suppress the disease.
"A cure?" asked one. "No. But I think a vaccine will be found. Once that happens, AIDS will become but a memory."
"AIDS will come to be recognized as a chronic disease which is contagious," said another. "When treated, it can be arrested like diabetes, periodontal disease, leukemia and drug addiction. But a cure is highly unlikely."
Some said they do not think a cure will be found because the AIDS virus keeps mutating. "The AIDS virus changes its molecular structure and hunts any interference with its progress," said one reader. "Unless we can find a way to plot and block any molecular change that may occur, I doubt if we will be able to interfere with total aggression of the T-lymphocytes."
Others questioned the value of expending effort to try to find a cure. "With all of the money and time spent trying to eradicate other diseases such as cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, nothing has been found," said one. "Why should AIDS be any different?"
Fifteen percent said they do not know if a cure will be discovered.
Dr. Daniel M. Meyer, associate executive director, ADA Division of Scientific Affairs, said the ADA will continue to monitor all professional issues involving the human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS, including all research efforts. "For now, we continue to try to make clear that with appropriate barrier techniques, dental offices are a safe place to receive care," he said.
