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From: scott@bbxsda.UUCP (Scott Amspoker)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Re: HIV testing and rape
Message-ID: <1991Jun11.194701.18033@cs.ucla.edu>
Date: 11 Jun 91 16:40:27 GMT
References: <1991Jun10.150619.25217@cs.ucla.edu> <1991Jun10.234032.13610@cs.ucla.edu>
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In article <1991Jun10.234032.13610@cs.ucla.edu> gb661@leah.albany.edu (BROADWELL GEORGE AARON) writes:
>[why he objects to HIV testing of accused rapists...]
>It can take up to six months to develop antibodies after exposure. Our test
>detects antibodies, not the virus itself.
>
>Therefore, if the rapist tests negative, it does not mean that the victim
>has not been exposed to the virus.  The rapist could have been recently
>exposed, and not yet showing antibodies.
>
>On the other hand, if the rapist tests positive, that doesn't mean that
>viral transmission has taken place.
>
>In either case, the victim must be tested, and retested in 6 months to
>know whether or not he/she has the virus.  Thus the course of action for
>the victim is the same *whether or not* the rapist is HIV-positive.

Another problem is the implication that, if the victim tests positive,
then the infection came from the rapist.  In fact, if both test
positive, it's entirely possible the rapist got it from the victim.

>Laws of the sort that make it illegal to transmit HIV always (to the
>best of my knowledge) talk about 'knowingly transmitting' HIV.  But
>to set up special penalties for people who know that they are HIV
>positive creates a disincentive for testing.  

I agree.  People who *emphasize* the responsibility of HIV carriers
to abstain from sex are really saying, "We should get all HIV
carriers out of circulation so the rest of us can continue to
screw around without worrying".  Such people are in an incredible
state of denial.  I find such denial every bit as disturbing as those
who are HIV positive without informing their partners.  Special laws
only reinforce that denial.

-- 
Scott Amspoker                       | Touch the peripheral convex of every
Basis International, Albuquerque, NM | kind, then various kinds of blaming
(505) 345-5232                       | sound can be sent forth.
unmvax.cs.unm.edu!bbx!bbxsda!scott   |    - Instructions for a little box that
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