New York Times, December 8, 2008

Letter to the Editor

To The Editor:

As “A Breathtaking Aspiration for AIDS” (editorial, Dec. 1) explains, researchers at the World Health Organization have proposed a new regimen for testing and treatment that models show could make an enormous difference in rates of H.I.V. infection and mortality.

As you note, the success of a computer model does not necessarily translate into success in actual use, but it certainly bears further investigation.

What you did not mention is the researchers’ caution that “this approach should not be viewed independently of other methods of prevention.”

A different protocol for testing and treatment may help turn the H.I.V. pandemic around, but it will no more be a silver bullet than any other single approach. We need to make use of every effective tool that we have, from expanded condom use to sexuality education to continuing research on new interventions.

Katherine L. Bourne
New York, Dec. 2, 2008

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