United States congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced a bill that would encourage federal research into the development of microbicides that could help women protect themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to an item on Advocate.com. (A microbicide destroys bacteria and other organisms.)
The Microbicide Development Act would prompt the National Institutes of Health; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate their microbicide research and development activities.
Although most microbicide products currently in development or testing are aimed at helping women prevent sexually acquired HIV infections, some studies have shown that the compounds also might be useful in helping gay men protect themselves against HIV during anal sex.