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`Successful vaccine for HIV/AIDS unlikely before 2015'
Our Bureau
Hyderabad
March 16
A world-renowned immunologist has said that it is unlikely that we can have a successful vaccine for HIV/AIDS before 2015.
Prof. Peter Doherty, a Nobel laureate from Australia, said new discoveries and new intellectual insights were needed to find a successful AIDS vaccine.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, Prof. Doherty felt that only a few of the 30 vaccines undergoing trials could offer partial protection. "Even if we are to get a successful AIDS vaccines, it is unlikely that it happens before 2015," he said.
Prof. Doherty won Nobel Prize in 1996 along with his Swiss colleague Mr Rolf Zinkernagel for their discovery of how the immune system recognises virus-infected cells.
Delivering the lecture on `Plagues, pestilences and influenza' at CDFD (Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics), he spoke about mass outbreaks of infections and mankind's relentless efforts to find defence mechanisms against the virulent viruses.
Agreed, science can help find solutions to some of the tough infections. "But it cannot be a substitute for poor public policy, a degraded infrastructure and lack of public openness," he said.
Since 1979, at least 30 new diseases had transmitted to people from what were known to be wild animal reservoirs.
ABC campaign
Stating that AIDS story talked both the triumphs and limitations of modern science, Prof. Doherty said there was a need to take up the ABC campaign to spread awareness on preventing AIDS.
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