October 24, 2007

The West Must Share More of Its HIV Resources

Western governments and agencies must share their resources with local scientists conducting HIV research in such developing countries as Uganda say researchers from Imperial College London (medicalnewstoday.com, 10/23).

In a commentary published today in the journal Nature Immunology, researchers argue that more cutting-edge laboratories are needed to conduct HIV-vaccine trials and develop treatment in impoverished nations.

“Old fashioned ‘parachute science’—where scientists from the developed world flew in, bled a few patients and immediately returned to their country of origin with their samples—are no longer required or acceptable,” says Professor Frances Gotch, one of the authors of the commentary. “In-house development and research is an effective and efficient way forward.”