Comments on: The Fight Against AIDS in China

By: Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 03:29:50 +0000

I’m pretty sure you can’t buy/rent this movie yet. I saw it as part of DocuWeek in LA. I was able to find a website that has the trailer, a synopsis (very brief, IMDb has a better one), and dates for future showings. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be many.

Side note- The link is to the China Aids Media Project website which shows you what other things the director is doing to bring public awareness to this issue in China.

http://www.chinaaidsmedia.com/en/international.html

http://imdb.com/title/tt0859595/

By: Felipe Hernandez

Felipe Hernandez — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 02:40:36 +0000

This discussion reminded me of an article I recently skimmed in the WSJ (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117008653444991209-search.html?KEYWORDS=THAILAND+AIDS&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month)
Essentially, Thailand is going to suspend patent protection for certain medications such as the “AIDS Cocktail” in order to make much needed drugs accessible to the masses who suffer from terrible afflictions and cannot afford these drugs that can prolong and improve their lives. I believe this move on the part of Thailand’s government poses many ethical and legal issues that will not only greatly affect the pharmaceutical industry, but every business that operates internationally.

While patents do allow companies to recoup extensive R&D expenses, should they be upheld when millions of people are suffering and dying every year?

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:48:13 +0000

I agree with Dr. Carr, I would love to see that documentary. I am all about giving recognition where recognition is due, and I think the Chinese government should be applauded for their efforts in the fight against AIDS. I am close to a few people suffering from AIDS and it is a horrible disease to have to watch a loved one battle through. With that said, I have never seen someone turn a horrible situation into an opportunity better than my best friend’s uncle Don. He has had full blown AIDS (not HIV) for well over 10 years now and has dedicated his life to educating people (particularly students) on ways to prevent the spread of AIDS and to clear up any myths that young people believe regarding AIDS. In talking to my mother it was not that long ago in the U.S. that most people thought you could get AIDS from sharing a toilet seat or a drink with someone who had AIDS. She told me that my father refused to let my brothers and I swim in the same pool as my uncle who was HIV positive. This all seems ludicrous to me now (and luckily to my parents as well), but it just goes to show the importance of educating people about HIV and AIDS. It also seems that the U.S. government could learn something from the Chinese as far as implementing specific programs for people suffering from AIDS and their family members. To the best of my knowledge, the U.S. has a far way to with regard to getting free drugs and counseling to people infected AIDS.

By: Chris Carr

Chris Carr — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 04:14:13 +0000

Ashley, do you have a web site address for the documentary? I would like to see this.

By: Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:42:23 +0000

There is also a great documentary that came out last summer called The Blood of Yingzhou District about children whose parents have died from AIDS in China. These children are now orphans and many are infected themselves. Those who are infected are rejected by almost the entire community due to the stigma around AIDS. It’s a very eye-opening movie and shows just how necessary the governments current actions are.