Federal Governnment Halts HIV Clinical Trial that Included Vanderbilt University

WKU Public Radio News — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:06:00 +0000

A federal HIV vaccine trial that Vanderbilt University is being halted because of poor results. The nation’s most advanced clinical trial was stopped this week when an independent review discovered that more people who got a vaccine tested positive for HIV than those who received a placebo.

The trial involved 19 cities and had enrolled individuals marketed to people considered at high risk for contracting the virus.

HIV Testing Bill Unanimously Clears Kentucky House

Kenny Colston — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:39:57 +0000

A bill aimed at allowing victims of sexual assault to ask for quick HIV testing of their alleged attackers has cleared the Kentucky House.

Under current laws, only prosecutors can ask for HIV testing of the accused person, and they can only ask after a conviction. The bill would allow a victim or the prosecutor to ask for such a test before a conviction.

Bill sponsor Joni Jenkins says medical advances can prevent HIV from advancing into AIDS if caught early, but convictions often take up to three years.

"So it's critical for victims to know the offender's HIV status as soon as possible and not wait 1 to 3 years for the completion of trial for such information," said Rep. Jenkins.