Birth Control to Reduce HIV in Africa

I don't know which to be more horrified about in this article entitled the 'Best-Kept Secret' for HIV-Free Africa:

- that researchers realize that birth control can have a great impact on reducing the number of children born with HIV in Africa, but they can't do anything about it, because of the PEPFAR's ban on distribution of contraceptives or family planning;

or the sentence where women are treated like a piece of property: "The man who, in accordance with local tradition, inherited her after her husband died refused to use condoms";

or the comments to the article that say that this is not 'our' (read 'America's') problem. As if we lived in a bubble.

It is a painful reminder of just how far we still have to go when it comes to basic human rights and mankind's inhumanity to man (and woman).

fast followups

Two quick follow-ups on recent blog posts.

First, a federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit against the Albany, VA, a story Linda originally blogged about yesterday. The widows will have 30 days to decide if they want to appeal.

Secondly, if the spray-on condom story caught your eye, you can head over to this blog, which has arranged an interview with the inventor. Alternatively, you can just watch the below YouTube video of CSI: NY, which demonstrates how a spray can (versus "car wash") style application might work. As we discussed in the comments on that thread, this particular method of application is an interesting idea for covering areas of the genitalia not typically covered by condoms. (For example, I wonder if it could provide protection against something like HPV or herpes, while still allowing a couple to attempt conception without infection?)

spray on condoms

Do you ever find yourself watching a television show, or movie, and having to hit pause to Google something you saw, because you just can't quite believe it? In this particular instance, I'm catching up on episodes of CSI: NY, and in the first episode of season four, they begin talking about (and demonstrating) spray on condoms.

"No way!" I thought, sure that this was something I could laugh off as improbable. Liquid latex in a spray can, spray application, 5 second drying time? Pause, Firefox, Google. See! Complete fict- what? Real? Oh. ...oh?

It would seem I slept through this particular bit of 2006 science innovation.

In reality, it's not necessarily what CSI: NY showed; it's more of a slide on device that coats the penis evenly with spray nozzles (most news coverage refers to it as "car wash like", a description I'm just going to leave alone) that a latex condom version of hairspray, and marketing is targeted towards a custom fit that will help prevent slippage and breaking.

You can watch a video clip showing the prototype, how the latex dries, and a short interview at this link, but please be aware that the link is not necessarily safe for work, and contains references to other videos and stories of sexual activity that certainly runs the risk of offending.

Of course, assuming this makes it to market (some time in 2008, according to the manufacturing company), you've got to wonder if anyone would really use it. And is it actually a better "fit"? Is the lack of reservoir tip going to create problems? How is it different from liquid latex? What safety mechanisms are built in to ensure that it's an even coat, and not patchy, thin, or missing a spot here and there? Is it cost effective?

I can certainly see having a can of aerosolized liquid latex being fun - I'm the type of person who would promptly run around and try coating everything I could with it, just to see what would happen (especially if it could at all be used in practical jokes, like covering someone's sandwich unnoticed), but I'm having a hard time seeing its actual benefit for protection during sexual activity. It seems like it would be a type of bragging ("oh, I can't wear regular condom sizes...") or a gadget-y purpose of (in)conspicuous consumption.

Thoughts?
-Kelly