Building A 'Molecular' Condom, Scientists Aim To Stop HIV

CINDY TUMIEL
c. 2006 San Antonio Express-News
Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate
The idea is to create a long-acting "molecular condom" that could empower women and save lives in the world's poorest countries where HIV is rampant, and where other methods of preventing disease are not readily available or used.
Presenting their research at a meeting here, scientists in Utah are developing a gel that coats the vagina, forming a chemical barrier.
To that barrier could be added microbicides that kill HIV and other infectious diseases. The gel is still in early stages of development and years away from being tested in people. But researchers are hopeful their product will eventually be accepted and available in Africa and other Third World countries, where women are considered the group most at risk for transmission of HIV.

Read the article