President's Commission on the HIV Epidemic
Encyclopedia
The President's Commission on the HIV Epidemic was a commission formed by then-President Ronald Reagan
in 1987 to investigate the AIDS pandemic
. It is also known as the Watkins Commission for its chairman, James D. Watkins
.
awareness advocates when his conservative panel unexpectedly recommended supporting anti-bias laws to protect HIV
-positive people, on-demand treatment for drug addicts, and the speeding of AIDS-related research.
During a press conference in 1988, Watkins said "Semen
, blood
, and ignorance surround this epidemic, and we were in that last category."
The Commission submitted 597 recommendations to the Reagan administration.
Critics of Reagan's response to the Commission's findings state that the recommendations of the Commission went largely ignored by both the Reagan administration and its successor, the George H. W. Bush
administration.
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
in 1987 to investigate the AIDS pandemic
AIDS pandemic
The acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic is a widespread disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus .Since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, it has led to the deaths of more than 25 million people, making it one of the most destructive diseases in recorded history.Despite recent...
. It is also known as the Watkins Commission for its chairman, James D. Watkins
James D. Watkins
Admiral James David Watkins is a retired United States Navy officer and former Chief of Naval Operations who also served as U.S. Secretary of Energy during the George H. W. Bush Administration and chaired U.S. government commissions on HIV/AIDS and ocean policy. Watkins has also served on the...
.
History
Watkins, who chaired the ten-member Commission, won the support of many AIDSAIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
awareness advocates when his conservative panel unexpectedly recommended supporting anti-bias laws to protect HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
-positive people, on-demand treatment for drug addicts, and the speeding of AIDS-related research.
During a press conference in 1988, Watkins said "Semen
Semen
Semen is an organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize female ova...
, blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, and ignorance surround this epidemic, and we were in that last category."
The Commission submitted 597 recommendations to the Reagan administration.
Controversy
Reagan is often criticized by AIDS-awareness groups for responding too little, too late to the growing cries for an inquiry into rapidly-spreading HIV.Critics of Reagan's response to the Commission's findings state that the recommendations of the Commission went largely ignored by both the Reagan administration and its successor, the George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
administration.