I N THE SPRING OF 1996 schoolteacher Beth Bye was extremely ill with the incurable sexually transmitted disease AIDS. Infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the immune system, Beth's body was no longer able to fight off infections. She had suffered from a multitude of illnesses, most of which had been treated only to appear again, and she was now losing her vision and mental capacity. Beth was constantly tired and could no longer work or even take her dog for walks. On the advice of her doctor, Beth had already made arrangements for her own funeral and was considering entering a hospice in which to live out her few remaining days.

It was at this stage that Beth was given a newly developed therapy for AIDS. The effects were astounding. Within two months, the devastation that HIV had caused...