CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
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Research findings presented at the 10th International Conference on AIDS, held in Yokohama, Japan, in August 1994, indicate that few advances have been made in standard antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection. The perinatal administration of AZT (zidovudine) was reported to reduce transmission of HIV from mother to child, and its use in combination with acyclovir appears to improve survival among patients with advanced disease. Other research has focused on asymptomatic patients with long-standing HIV infection. ⋯ In gene therapy research, one approach involved the genetic alteration of target cells to enable them to render the virus harmless. A second approach consisted of enhancing the function of CD8+ cells to allow them to compensate for dysfunctional CD4+ cells. The author believes that gene therapy may offer the greatest hope of an effective treatment for HIV infection.
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Because they are seen as advocates for public health and safety, physicians are also widely believed to be supporters of aggressive gun-control measures, but in reality there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue. "People assume that more gun control will mean less violence, but there are no hard data to support that," says Vancouver psychiatrist Joseph Noone, who argues that Canada already has highly restrictive firearms laws. Other physicians are puzzled by colleagues' opposition to the changes. "I don't understand why it's such a big deal," says Dr. Stephen Corber, medical officer of health for the Ottawa-Carleton region. He argues that registration would not be a deterrent to responsible gun use and ownership.
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Anne Mullens used a recent fellowship provided by the Atkinson Foundation to take an in-depth look at euthanasia in the Netherlands. During her time in Holland, she discussed the issue with doctors who support and oppose euthanasia. ⋯ She visited a hospital in Amsterdam that has received requests from foreigners seeking euthansia. Mullens offers a comprehensive look at an issue that continues to provoke strong feelings among Canadian physicians and patients.