AIDS radiation machine

[arcticpenguin]

http://www.q.co.za/2001/2003/04/05-aids.html

British defence giant BAE Systems is backing human trials in South Africa of a Russian-designed radiation machine touted as a radical new treatment for HIV/Aids.

In the strangest spin-off yet from South Africa’s arms deal, BAE Systems has pumped R24-million into Hivex, a KwaZulu-Natal company formed in 2000 to develop and market the Russian technology. The machine is supposed to use electromagnetic radiation to damage the ability of the HI virus to attack the CD4 blood cells that are crucial to the body’s immune system. But scientists have raised serious doubts about the likely efficacy of the radiation treatment, with respected international Aids researcher Slim Abdool-Karim dismissing the idea as unworkable.

This sounds bad. Something this unlikely and unproven would not likely be approved for human trials in the U.S.

 

[garys_2k]

I'd read where the mainstream health agencies had said that South Africa was "investing" money into quack AIDS cures. I guess this is what they meant.

 

[Jon_in_london]

Theres a pan-africanist political edge to all of this. Basically the Pres. is a bit of a pan-africanist (aka black rascist) who will either deny that AIDS exists or push for an 'African solution to an African problem' even if the African solution goes 'quack'.

This led to the ANC investing money firstly in 'virodene' or, as its more commonly known dimethyl formamide- an extremly nasty solvent. They claimed it was a miracle cure for AIDS which it isnt. Basically, it causes serious liver damage which leads to a transient immune boost ergo a lowering in the HIV titre. However, this is only transient and the liver damage is serious and permanant and repeated treatments will result in liver failure and death. The SA medicines research council refused flatly to have anything to do with this and you better believe- the race card was looking rather dog-eared a week or two later.

Later on a similar thing happened using a similar toxin- I believe some coal-tar extract. MRC refused again. Race card played again.

This radiation nonsense seems to be the latest chapter in this squalid volume- more squalid yet because an arms company (major bidder in multi-billion rand arms deal) is now invovled.
Doubtless the MRC will again refuse to have anything to do with this and again they will be accused of rascism (even though a fair proportion is now black).

Africa breaks my heart.