HIV Vaccine Studies: A Volunteer's Story

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Saturday December 01, 2007 · 12:26 PM PST

2007/12/01 · 12:26

As an volunteer for one of Vanderbilt University's HIV vaccine studies, imagine my disappointment after reading that a major vaccine trial that was halted world-wide because the vaccine did not protect users from infection. Disappointment turned to worry as news over the next few days reported that the experimental vaccine may actually raise the risk of infection in volunteers.

I'm sure no one volunteers as a guinea pig for experimental vaccines like this one without a gut-check beforehand. I certainly took one. Unlike medications that treat the medical conditions of test participants, a vaccine must be tested on subjects who are free of the disease. The first question has to be, "is there a risk of infection?" Participants were assured that there was no risk of infection because no live virus was used in the vaccine, but realizing that any "experimental" thing is sure to come with very few guarantees, the next question is "are you willing to accept even a limited risk of exposure?" That was a tough question.

mlv1055

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Saturday February 24, 2007 · 10:05 AM PST

2007/02/24 · 10:05

The National Rifle Association is apparently so focused on the 2nd Amendment that they forgot about the 1st. Jim Zumbo, television personality, author and gun-rights champion for over 40 years, has seen his career destroyed in less then a week after expressing his opinion about hunters using assault weapons, "especially those gunning for prairie dogs."

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HIV Vaccine Studies: A Volunteer's Story

The NRA Goes Postal: Jim Zumbo Destroyed