Transmitting AIDS an immoral act
Editorial
Although we’ve often professed to be less than completely confident in the essential benevolence of human nature, it’s not every day that we’re faced with the prospect that it may actually be actively malicious.Unfortunately, a new study by researchers at two New England hospitals brings this unsavory possibility – at least in some cases – into new light.According to doctors involved in the study, four out of every 10 HIV-infected people surveyed admitted to failing to tell their sex partners about their infected status. And as if this weren’t utterly terrifying enough, almost two-thirds of these patients did not always use a condom when engaging in sexual intercourse.Celibacy anyone?To be fair, the patients surveyed were mostly poor, uneducated and ravaged by drug use. However, many doctors, health care professionals and activists believe that the practice of withholding information concerning one’s HIV infection is widespread.Words cannot express what an egregious affront to personal responsibility we believe this to be. This nation has taken extraordinary steps towards educating its populace about the deadly nature of this disease, the manners in which it is transmitted and the steps that must be taken to arrest its spread.The AIDS epidemic is no longer a crisis of knowledge. It is now a crisis of individual responsibility.Knowingly spreading the HIV virus is an immoral and unconscionable act. And if the Ohio General Assembly gets its way, it may soon become a felony.Legislative Act 122 is currently winding its way through the corridors of power in downtown Columbus. If passed into law, those infected with HIV or AIDS who engage in sexual conduct without informing their partner could be charged with a felony.As members of one of the fastest growing segments of the population contracting the disease, we whole heartedly support passage of this law.Far from ‘ignoring everyone’s responsibility to protect oneself,’ as some opponents have asserted, this bill creates an incentive – beyond that of a moral human being – to inform potential partners of just what they may be getting into. And if human nature dictates that incentive to be the fear of incarceration, so be it.We understand that there is a serious stigma attached to both the AIDS virus and its victims, and that some may feel that this law will further that stigmatization. However, it’s become increasingly clear that the spread of HIV and AIDS, after years of decline, is reemerging stronger and faster than it has ever been.There’s an almost palpable feeling in this country that, by some miracle, the threat of AIDS has somehow dissipated. Perhaps years of over saturation by the government and the media have rendered the public deaf and dumb when it comes to discussing and keeping alive action and awareness. But whatever the case, the disease cares nothing for the psychology behind our increasingly lax attitudes. It’s only interest is in finding another host.Perhaps this law – or even just its public debate – will help to save lives. But whatever this bill’s eventual outcome, remain stalwart and mindful of the possible presence of the disease in every sexual encounter you engage in.Protect yourself. Stay paranoid.
