HIV/AIDS denialism

HIV/AIDS denialism is the belief, contradicted by conclusive medical and scientific evidence, that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some of its most influential proponents claim that HIV is harmless, non-sexually transmissible, or nonexistent.

Overview

HIV/AIDS denialism has been described as "the denial of established facts and knowledge, the misinterpretation of research results and the belief in conspiracy theories". Denialists often use rhetorical tactics to give the appearance of legitimate debate where there is none, an approach that has the effect of elevating their claims to the level of accepted science.

Impact

HIV/AIDS denialism has been extremely harmful to public health, particularly in South Africa, where the government's official embrace of denialism (1999–2005) was responsible for its weak response to that country's AIDS epidemic. It is estimated that HIV/AIDS denialism has resulted in hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths in South Africa alone.

Criticism

Critics of HIV/AIDS denialism include scientists, medical professionals, patient advocates, journalists, policymakers, and HIV-positive people themselves. They argue that denialism is a dangerous form of pseudo-science that ignores overwhelming evidence and misleads people at risk of HIV infection.

See also

• AIDS denialism
• HIV/AIDS
• Pseudoscience
• Conspiracy theory

References

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