Does HIV Cause AIDS?
I’ve grown up following the AIDS epidemic. In the early 1980’s I recall reading about it when it was still called HTLV. Later one of my friends was so afraid of the disease he “changed” his sexual orientation. Another did not and later died from the disease. Jeff was a bit of a flamer, but he was smart and had a wicked sense of humor that I miss.
In Africa I saw what they called “Slims” – and one of my trackers there, a young Kitongwe by the name of Luhembe, ended up dying from it. Luhembe saved me from getting mugged in Mugambo – a large village on the shores of Lake Tanganyika – back in Nov 1994. While he was a bit of a “lady’s man” he didn’t deserve a death sentence.
So I feel that I have a bit of a grudge with this disease. I want to see the back of it. I want it put down completely – not just controlled. It has killed way too many people for no reason.
So why, after 25 years am I on the fence when it comes to the HIV hypothesis?
Let me be clear: Something killed Jeff Peters way before his time. Something killed Luhembe. They are both dead from something. I’m just not convinced that it’s HIV that killed them.
I’ve read most of Duesberg’s book, and I have viewed Maggiore’s DVD and corresponded with Bialy. I have come to the conclusion that these people aren’t wackos: they are pretty smart people who come from different backgrounds but all have reached the same conclusion: HIV does NOT cause AIDS.
When I first heard about the “AIDS Denialists” it was on the BBC Worldservice while I was in Africa, on a show that mentioned that Thabo Mbeki – future President of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s hand-picked successor – questioned the HIV-AIDS hypothesis. I remember thinking “Great, South Africa is going to elect a looney as president.”
Well it turns out I disagree a lot with President Mbeki – especially with his support of Zimbabwe Dictator Robert Mugabe. But he might be right about HIV having nothing to do with AIDS.
Being on the fence about an issue isn’t easy. It’s not a stable position – so how have I managed it for so long? Mostly from my own weakness: I don’t understand all the arguments – both pro and con. This failure to understand then creates a deep suspicion or distrust in my “gut” – one that can only be convinced through careful examination and understanding of the evidence and arguments.
To answer my question in the title of this piece: I don’t know.
When I do, I’ll be sure to let you know.
John:
Of all your reading that makes you question the currently accepted hypothesis on HIV to AIDS, which is the strongest material that you would advise for a layman – assuming you could only offer a single great resource?
9 March 2006, 12:35 pmAdministrator:
John
Start with Dean’s postings here. Start at the beginning of the thread – and be prepared to spend a few hours thinking about it for yourself.
As I said, I’m still on the fence and the arguments on both sides are pretty compelling.
http://www.deanesmay.com/questioning_the_hiv_or_aids_establishment/
But let me repeat: Something killed these people. Their deaths are very, very real.
9 March 2006, 1:33 pmJohn:
Oh I know they are. I’ve never taken a high interest in the disease and story until VERY recently. My medical knowledge is woeful. Only know that from the beginning, many things didn’t make sense to me. The actual deaths (for the most part) were all coming from 3 communities, even though we were told everyone was at risk. In a pandemic, my neighbors should have been falling all around me. I live in a “high risk” area. But even in Kansas, this should have been the case. I gave very little credence to the continuing sales pitch that everyone was at risk. Other than “zone out” whenever they started up though, I really didn’t do or say anything. Right now I want to know what is being said and I am aware that there is controversy and that those on “wrong side” are being marginalized and made out to be fools and madmen. Why the hysterical response to the debate? It seems like there are a lot of unanswered questions. What’s so bad about going back and re-exploring the whole basis of current treatment protocols? What’s the risk? They can still continue treating their patients in the way they have. It’s quite interesting. Thanks for your help.
9 March 2006, 7:51 pmJohn:
Please read my thoughts on HIV/AIDS at my blog:
13 March 2006, 10:26 pmhttp://evolutionarymiddleman.blogspot.com/