| NOGLSTP HOME |
| GOALS |
| HISTORY |
| FAQ |
| BULLETIN |
| MENTORING PROJECT |
| MEMBERS |
| DEMOGRAPHICS |
| E-LIST |
| MEETINGS |
| OUT & ABOUT |
| RECOGNITION AWARDS |
| MEMBER SERVICES |
| MAKE A DONATION |
| SPONSOR AN EVENT |
| PRESS RELEASES |
| CONTACT US |
| PRIVACY POLICY |
| NOGLSTP at the 2002 AAAS AMSIE in Boston supported by donations from the Raytheon Company and the Diamond Family Symposium | Reception | Business Meeting Information for the Press |
|---|
|
Mark your calendars for President’s Weekend 2002, and make your plans to join us in Boston, at the American Association for Advancement of Science Annual Meeting and Science Innovation Exposition (AAAS AMSIE). NOGLSTP Chair Rochelle Diamond, and AAAS Section X Secretary Stephanie Bird are co-organizers of the symposium “Scientific & Ethical Perspectives on the Risks of HIV/AIDS Therapeutics”, to be presented Saturday February 16, 2002, 9am – 12pm. This symposium is the culmination of a symposium project we initiated back in 1999, only to have our principle speakers withdraw after deciding it was premature to present their controversial data for public scrutiny. The purpose of the symposium is to discuss the possible genotoxic effects of HIV combination therapies, and make people aware that affected germ-line DNA can be passed on to offspring, generation after generation. The symposium speakers are:
You must be registered for the AAAS Annual Meeting to attend the symposium. Follow this link to the AAAS meeting site to learn more about registration. |
Combination HIV-1 treatments are effective inhibitors of AIDS progression and also help to prevent maternal-fetal transmission of the virus (~70% reduction). Patients live longer, healthier lives and many children who are born of HIV+ mothers are sero-negative. There are, however, potential short and long-term risks involved with the use of these nucleoside-analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI). The molecular mechanisms responsible for their effectiveness (incorporation into nuclear and mitochondrial DNA) also mediate their potential toxicity and possible genetic/germline DNA repercussions. The potential risks for long-term health effects of in utero NRTI exposure have not yet been evaluated, although the pharmaceutical industry has established the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry that will follow the health of these children over time. Long-term genetic effects during development and into adulthood in children conceived with NRTI-treated sperm are unknown and may be different from effects seen in children treated in utero. Nevertheless, because of the success of these antiviral therapies, some HIV+ men are choosing to have children. The communications media have broadcast stories about doctors and clinics that utilize sperm washing and assisted reproduction techniques in order to allow HIV+ patients to have children without transmitting the virus to their partners or children. The complex and problematic pasts of the drugs thalidomide and diethylstilbesterol (DES), both of which have had serious consequences when used during pregnancy, highlight medical and ethical issues that merit public attention and discussion in relation to NRTI treatment. |
Meet and greet fellow queer scientists, AAAS conventioneers, and NOGLSTP movers and shakers at this reception. Held in the Simons Suite at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, this event is open to all interested people. You do not need to be registered for the AAAS meeting to attend. Light hor d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. Casual attire.
Meet in the Boston College room at the Marriot, and adjourn immediately to a local restaurant to discuss NOGLSTP plans and strategies over lunch. Although this meeting is intended for NOGLSTP Board Members, any NOGLSTP member who has opinions or ideas to share is welcome to join in. If you are not a Board member, but want to attend the meeting, please RSVP to the NOGLSTP Office before 2/14/02 so we know to expect you.