No help from federal agencies

Official websites purport to offer useful information to the public. That becomes much less appealing when one recognizes that they typically also disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
Still, it seems natural to presume that a specific request might bring specific help. Not when it comes to HIV/AIDS, it appears.
A friend of this blog sent the following query (slightly edited) to the Food and Drug Administration:

Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 9:54 AM
Subject: AIDS.
Dear Drs.
Why do all HIV tests have disclaimers like this?
“At present there is no recognized standard for establishing the presence and absence of HIV-1 antibody in human blood.”
The same with WB, for which there is no universal criterion; and Viral Load tests also have this kind of disclaimer.
This is a test that, if positive, destroys lives. Please think about it, it’s not a matter of money and power, it’s about the lives of millions of people.
And will there be in a few years better alternatives to the very toxic (sometimes lethal) and expensive HAART?

The reply was interesting if somewhat evasive:

From: OSHI@FDA.HHS.GOV
To: ………
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:53:19 -0500
Subject: RE: AIDS.
Hello–
No HIV test is perfect.  All tests have a potential for “false-positive” or “false-negative” results.  These tests are the best that are currently available, but they are not perfect.  FDA is working with medical product manufacturers to facilitate their development of better tests.
I do not understand your comment that “it’s not about money and power.”  What is your point?
Researchers are working to develop a cure for HIV, but such a cure is not likely to appear soon.  I guess we’ll see—
David Banks
FDA Office of Special Health Issues

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