Issues for Your Tissues

Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Legal Analyst at RH Reality Check, joined me to talk about the rising trend of women being arrested for exercising bodily autonomy. Anna Yocca, Tennessee woman charged with attempted first degree murder for self-inducing an abortion at 24 weeks, plead not guilty and her trial will begin soon.

Dr. Nader Pourhassan, CEO of CytoDyn Inc, talked with me about their HIV drug, PRO 140, which has had demonstrated remarkable effect on patients in FDA IRB approved tests. About PRO 140 PRO 140 belongs to a new class of HIV/AIDS therapeutics -- viral-entry inhibitors -- that are intended to protect healthy cells from viral infection. PRO 140 is a fully humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody directed against CCR5, a molecular portal that HIV uses to enter T-cells. PRO 140 blocks the predominant HIV (R5) subtype entry into T-cells by masking this required co-receptor, CCR5. Importantly PRO 140 does not appear to interfere with the normal function of CCR5 in mediating immune responses. PRO 140 does not have agonist activity towards CCR5 but does have antagonist activity to CCL5 which is a central mediator in inflammatory diseases. PRO 140 has been the subject of seven clinical trials, each demonstrating efficacy by significantly reducing or controlling HIV viral load in human test subjects. PRO 140 has been designated a "fast track" product candidate by the FDA. The PRO 140 antibody appears to be a powerful antiviral agent leading to potentially fewer side effects and less frequent dosing requirements as compared to daily drug therapies currently in use. 

Another American woman is jailed for inducing her own abortion. Anna Yocca has been jailed on charges of attempted first degree murder for inducing her abortion with a wire coat hanger. This is a policy failure, not a criminal offense. Now she is responsible for parenting a severely premature child if she beats the charges.  Shame on you, Tennessee.

Alexa Garcia-Ditta, Health Reporter at the Texas Observer, joins me to talk about the Hyde Amendment, Rosie Jimenez, HB2, and its impending appearance before SCOTUS. Rosie Jimenez was one of the first women to die from a clandestine abortion after the 1976 Hyde Amendment prevented use of federal funds for abortion procedures. Yes, the Hyde Amendment has been hurting already marginalized women for almost 40 years.

This was a tough editorial on the Planned Parenthood terrorism, shooting right after Thanksgiving. If you have ever been or currently are sexually active, get yourself tested for all STIs. Planned Parenthood can do that for you.

Heather Busby, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas joined me. We shared thanks for abortion providers, good lawmakers, and great activists.

Dr. David Ley, Ph.D. joined me to talk about Saturday's Sexceptional Lecture entitled Pornography: What You Need to Know and his books, Insatiable Wives and The Myth of Sex Addiction.

Alda Santana, Health Educator with the City of Austin, came on talk about the Peer Health Sexuality Education going on throughout Travis County. She brought Educators Cassandra, Alex, Carla, and Yasmin with her to talk about their experiences.