Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!ucla-cs!news
From: Richard.Dewald@p0.f70.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Richard Dewald)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Aids and politics
Message-ID: <1991Feb7.153459.26836@cs.ucla.edu>
Date: 7 Feb 91 14:00:41 GMT
Sender: ufgate@stjhmc.fidonet.org (newsout1.26)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/70.0 - Humanitas, Austin TX
Lines: 31
Approved: phil@wubios.wustl.edu
Note: non-commercial reproduction.
Nntp-Posting-Host: squid.cs.ucla.edu
Archive-Number: 2988

I would just like to chime in and mention that I support David's efforts in 
eliminating the political discussions from this conference.  I note that there 
are people who believe the two can't be separated.  I further note that these 
are people who are involved with the disease on a personal level.  On a 
personal level, I believe it may be impossible to separate politics from the 
direct scientific and medical issues.
 
However, as a caregiver, I must separate the political from the scientific and 
medical.  Science seeks to eliminate the type of human biases that are 
fundamental to effective political organizations.
 
There are no politically correct T-cells, no Republican CD4 receptors, no 
communist glycoproteins, no liberal strains of CMV.  Politics does drive 
funding of research at the macro level, but that is an issue separate from the 
applicability of that research to the management of the disease.  THAT, and 
other like issues, should be the focus of this conference.  If a separate Fido 
conference called AIDS_POLITICS were created, I would carry it and participate 
for that interests me as a person, but I must separate that from my work as a 
nurse.
 
Discussions of management of the disease MUST proceed in a rational manner, 
with strict attention to empirics and demonstrable data. Political discussions 
cannot thrive in and will only disrupt such an atmosphere.
 
I think we should note that David is not trying to eliminate the discussion of 
the political issues, he is just trying to redirect them to a proper forum.  I 
fully support that effort.

--  
Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!382!70.0!Richard.Dewald
Internet: Richard.Dewald@p0.f70.n382.z1.fidonet.org