AIDS . . . TRAFFICKING IN "DEATH" INSURANCE

The Securities and Exchange Commission has cracked down on a company that turns life insurance policies into cash for dying AIDS patients. In U.S. District Court Thursday, the SEC charged Life Partners Inc. of Waco, Texas -- the largest of 30 players in the game -- with selling unregistered securities to investors. The SEC says Life Partners offers terminally-ill patients cash up front for the rights to more valuable death benefits from their life insurance policy. Life Partners -- which denies close parallels to the securities trade -- then sells the insurance rights to investors. Critics call the $300 million market "death futures"; advocates says it's a source of much needed cash to pay for rent, medical care and other needs.