Latest NEJM article re HIV and circ

[MotherDuck]

Still seems that sex is being treated like Russian roulette - this is merely debating how many bullets are in the 6 chambers. There are easier non-invasive ways to avoid getting HIV. I'm guessing that the men involved in the study either weren't interested or were ignorant about safe sexual practices. Faithful monogamous relationships would be a sensible start, followed by condom use. And how about stop raping young girls in the belief that sex with them either prevents HIV or cures it. It is amazing what stupidity and nonsence will fill a gap created by ignorance.

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/...2412?query=TOC

Here's the beginning of the article:

Circumcision — A Surgical Strategy for HIV Prevention in Africa
Ingrid T. Katz, M.D., M.H.S., and Alexi A. Wright, M.D.

In a radical departure from earlier strategies, public health officials are now arguing that circumcision of men should be a key weapon in the fight against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Africa. Recent studies have shown that circumcision reduces infection rates by 50 to 60% among heterosexual African men. Experts estimate that more than 3 million lives could be saved in sub-Saharan Africa alone if the procedure becomes widely used. But skeptics argue that efforts to "scale-up" circumcision programs on the continent that has the fewest physicians per capita may draw funds away from other necessary public health programs, ultimately threatening already tenuous health care systems.

How circumcision prevents HIV transmission is not completely understood, but scientists believe that the foreskin acts as a reservoir for HIV-containing secretions, increasing the contact time between the virus and target cells lining the foreskin's inner mucosa.

[perspective]

Two major problems.

circumcision of men should be a key weapon in the fight against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Africa.

How circumcision prevents HIV transmission is not completely understood

How can any scientist or doctor claim that circumcision should be the main tool to fight HIV, when they dont even understand HOW the study got the results they found?

Even an 8th grader taking a basic lab science class will tell you that before you can identify conclusive results and apply them to the real world, you first need to isolate all variables. If you didn't, your teacher would probably give you an F for not understanding the basic processes of science is done.

[anony]

Originally Posted by perspective

Two major problems.





How can any scientist or doctor claim that circumcision should be the main tool to fight HIV, when they dont even understand HOW the study got the results they found?

Even an 8th grader taking a basic lab science class will tell you that before you can identify conclusive results and apply them to the real world, you first need to isolate all variables. If you didn't, your teacher would probably give you an F for not understanding the basic processes of science is done.

Here's your answer=$$$$$$$

You know those doubters who claim global warming is a myth because scientists stand to gain more notoriety and cash as a result? Well, in this case that kind of doubt is blatantly obvious to anyone who goes beyond the surface. It's like medieval science that they used to determine these "preventative measures" for HIV.