Dr. Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He says the “scientific basis” exists to consider the possibility and the reality of a generation free of HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Fauci says the understanding of the HIV replication cycle is probably the most important of the many scientific gains. He says it has revealed some of the virus’ weaknesses.
FAITH LAPIDUS: Dr. Fauci says the first antiretroviral drug, AZT, offered a “glimmer of hope.” But its effects were small and did not last long. Years later, two drugs were used with better results. But they were still not good enough. There are now thirty drugs approved to treat HIV.
But is a cure possible? Scientists are working on a few possibilities, such as finding a way to remove the virus from the body. Dr. Fauci calls that a “functional cure.” That means, improving the body’s immune system to deal with HIV or somehow changing cells to resist the virus. Dr. Fauci calls it a “scientific challenge.” But, he says it can be done.
MARIO RITTER: And that’s EXPLORATIONS, a VOA program in Special English. It was adapted from reports by Joe de Capua and Jerome Socolovsky. Faith Lapidus and Christopher Cruise were your announcers. I’m Mario Ritter.
You can see other reports on HIV/AIDS at voaspecialenglish.com. For English learning activities and interactive features, click on The Classroom at VOA Learning English. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iTunes. Join us again next week for more EXPLORATIONS.
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