The elephants said it all. Scientific conferences rarely start with a parade of elephants. But AIDS conferences are different. These days they resemble gigantic photo-opportunities as much as scientific meetings. To this end, the 15th International AIDS Conference, just held in Bangkok, was graced not only by the high-commanders of antiretroviral research (who provide the tools) and of donor governments and organisations (who provide the money), but also by Kofi Annan, Dionne Warwick, Richard Gere, Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe, for any readers unfamiliar with the name) and several other real or wannabe celebrities.
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