There are various reasons the U.S. government was slow to commence AIDS-related research. Firstly, the illness primarily appeared as an epidemic among homosexual men, drug users, and women with numerous sexual partners. Resultantly, the government might have found it to be a moral issue rather than a serious health issue. Secondly, religious and political conservatives thought that AIDS might be a punishment for gay men for contradicting nature. They would not fight hard to save the lives of those people suffering as they thought that the punishment served them right (Reamer, 1991). However, following the highly publicized Ryan White case, President Ronald Reagan ensured that there was increased funding to conduct research and provide health education to people about AIDS (Reamer, 1991). This initiative would later prove to be instrumental in ending discrimination of people with AIDS. Previously, they had experienced rejection in public amenities such as schools, hospitals, and churches.

I believe there were homophobic and religious forces at work in the White House that prevented the prompt response to the pandemic. A significant example is Patrick Buchanan who was a conservative commentator. He once wrote that the illness was a result of nature exacting retribution to those who have refused to live morally. Religious groups believed it to be a punishment to those who had defied the law of nature (Reamer, 1991). Their position was that a man should only have sexual relations with a woman to fulfill the purpose of procreation. Further, sensational reporting in the press increased the stigma where the infected people were singled out and discriminated against in various levels in society. However, the modern-day developments have led to significant changes where people have united to fight against the illness.

References

Reamer, F. G. (1991). Aids & ethics. Columbia University Press.