I'm always highly skeptical of these press release announcements of major breakthroughs, especially when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

There are countless instances in which scientists eager for funding, pharmaceuticals eager for PR, and researchers eager for attention throw out press releases with grand claims and big announcements, only to have their claims tempered if not undone by the realities of their trials, methods, and results as published in the scientific journals and exposed to review.

Personally, I feel it's irresponsible for these researchers to, time and time again, send out press releases prior to publishing their studies in the journals. Hell, so often they send out the press releases prior to even submitting their studies to journals. The media outlets pass these press releases on practically verbatim, choosing not to critically analyze the press release's claims or even bring it to peoples' attention when the claims are subsequently refuted.

As much as I, as well as anyone else, tries to remain hopeful and have faith in the scientific community, my readings on the integrity, reliability and honesty involved in the relationship between science and media makes me highly skeptical.