Education and Funds for AIDS

Your editorial “New Focus in AIDS Fight” (Oct. 29) is both timely and appropriate. Dedication of federal and state funds for AIDS prevention and treatment is critical for successful control of this serious disease.

But not all AIDS research and treatment are receiving government funding. Many of America’s HIV-infected patients are cared for by private physicians without access to public-funded studies and programs. The Los Angeles Oncologic Institute, a private, nonprofit comprehensive cancer institute at St. Vincent Medical Center, includes AIDS research as a major component of its overall research program.

Clinical trials of new therapies as well as basic laboratory experiments are being conducted with funding provided by charitable donations, private foundations and industry.

We applaud your recommendations for an increase in state and federal funds. We urge support also for privately sponsored AIDS research and prevention programs. The fight against AIDS cannot afford to be solely dependent upon legislatively mandated funds. The call for an increase in financial support should include private as well as government funds.

PETER S. KENNEDY, M.D.

Director of Clinical Oncology

MICHAEL J. SCOLARO, M.D.

Director of AIDS Research

Los Angeles Oncology Institute