First, my compassion to those suffering from AIDS. Some of them are undeserving victims, for sure, but it must be dreadful to be HIV positive, not knowing what the future holds with a disease that destroys a vital mechanism of life.
Dr. Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance of Britain's Health Protection Agency, claims that "safe sex" is the best way to prevent getting HIV. She is sadly mistaken. There is overwhelming evidence to show that condoms have failed and continue to fail to stop the spread of HIV.
In the late 1980s, Thailand and the Philippines had roughly the same number of HIV/AIDS cases at 112 and 135 cases, respectively. In the early 1990s, the government of Thailand enforced the 100 per cent condom use program in its booming commercial sex industry. The Philippines, on the other hand, was characterized by its very low rate of condom use and the firm opposition of church and government to their use.
In 2003, almost 15 years later, the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Thailand had risen to 750,000 while the number in the Philippines remained low at 1,935. Thailand burgeoned by 6,700 times, while the Philippines by only 14 times.
Again, Thailand promoted 100 per cent condom use, while the Philippines promoted abstinence outside marriage. U.S. public health officials claim to be stumped by this contradiction to their assumptions, but it should be crystal clear that condom use promotes risk-taking and a false sense of security.
An HIV virus is 100 nanometres wide, but condom latex has natural pores that are 5,000 nanometres wide . . . 50 times wider and ample to accommodate the passage of the virus that can be accommodated by intercourse and thwarted by abstinence.
But you won't hear a whisper about abstinence on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, from those who believe in the sexual revolution.
Geoffrey Capp
Lethbridge