IMOD (herbal extract)

IMOD (short for "Immuno-Modulator Drug") is the name of an herbal drug that Iranian scientists have claimed protects those already infected by HIV from the spread of AIDS by strengthening the immune system. Imod was invented by Iranian scientists in 2006, and its discovery was made public in February 2007 during Iran's planned "Great Achievements" announcements. Though there is a class of real drugs called immunomodulators that include treatments such as interferons and interleukins which are effective against a variety of diseases, no evidence has yet been put forward about Imod's efficacy that can be objectively tested by scientists outside Iran. [ [http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/ira-e.stm FAO - nutrition in Iran] ] It has been discussed in the medical literature by JJ Amon of Human Rights Watch as an example of unproven AIDS cures ["Dangerous medicines: Unproven AIDS cures and counterfeit antiretroviral drugs." [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2291042 Open access] "Global Health". 2008 Feb 27;4:5. PMID18304316]

The medicine has been approved and announced by the Iranian Ministry of Health. [ [http://www.irna.com/en/news/view/line-16/0702037128141748.htm Islamic Rebuplic of Iran News Agency IRNA] ] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/science/story/2007/02/070203_mf_aids.shtml BBC Persian News Website بخش فارسی سایت بی بی سی] ]

The drug has not been peer reviewed by the international scientific community, and other nations have not been given a chance to approve it for useFact|date=November 2007. According to Iran, the drug took five years to develop and has been tested on 200 patients. Widespread testing to measure its efficacy has been promised by Iran. [ [http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=20393 Iran discovered herbal cure for AIDS] ]

The drug's claimed effect is to control or reduce the spread of HIV infection in the human body, and secondarily to control the infection by the virus. Iranian Health Minister Kamran Baqeri Lankarani is quoted as saying "The herbal-made medication, we call it IMOD, serves to rein the AIDS virus and redouble the body’s immunity. It is not a medication to completely kill the virus, it can be used besides other anti-retroviral drugs. The drug is that effective and safe with no proved side effects."

All news coverage concerning IMOD has cited the Fars News Agency as the origin of any information concerning IMOD. The Fars News Agency is affiliated with Iran's judiciary. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/790877.stm#media BBC COuntry Profiles, Iran, Media] ] Though it reported on IMOD, the less-credible Mehr News Agency is rarely cited due to its affiliation with Iran's Islamic Propagation Organization. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/790877.stm#media BBC COuntry Profiles, Iran, Media] ]

References

External links

* [http://imodaids.com/default.aspx?Lan=en Official Website of IMOD, in English]
* [http://imodaids.com/default.aspx?Lan=fa Official Website of IMOD, in Persian]
* [http://imodaids.blogspot.com/ IRANIAN IMOD DRUG AGAINST AIDS]
* [http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,9294,2-10-1462_2063990,00.html News24: “Iran unveils Aids herbal remedy”]
* [http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8511140239 FARS News Agency: “Iran Introduces AIDS Cure”]
* [http://www.farsnews.net/imgrep.php?nn=8511140372 Photo Report about IMOD ]
* [http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=443087 Iran introduces new AIDS treatment]
* [http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=19417 Iran unveils herbal remedy against AIDS] [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070203/wl_mideast_afp/iranmedicinehealth_070203114211 (AFP/Yahoo)]
* [http://www.youandaids.org/News/Headlines.asp?ID=543CEFB774F1412A862A1A12EFA1A1DE UNDP report]
* [http://www.avert.org/cure-for-aids.htm AVERT's Cure For Aids information page]