Gel could block STDs

Last Friday week's Net TV programme Arena, ably presented by Antonella Vassallo, discussed the delicate subject of sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

I came across a very interesting article which brings a ray of hope to curb these ever increasing diseases, stating that scientists are developing a gel that will block sexually transmitted infections but will allow women to become pregnant.

Carraguard, which prevents bugs from attaching themselves to body tissue, has already passed safety tests and is at present on trial. This gel is derived from Carrageenan seaweed, which has been used for decades in dairy products and soups. The raw ingredient is easily available and cheap, says the journal Chemistry and Industry in Animal Testing.

The gel prevented the transmission of the herpes simplex virus, which triggers cervical cancer, bacterial gonorrhoea and a strain of the virus related to HIV.

Robin Mcguire, programme manager of the Population Council - the New York-based organisation developing it - insists it is unlikely that HIV could develop an immunity to the gel. Trials are soon to begin involving 6,000 women and will last four years.

It is hoped that a contraceptive form of the gel could also be developed.