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from Medical Issues
Experts: Anti-AIDS Drugs
Encourage Risky Behaviors
July 14, 2004 -
AIDS researchers at the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, believe
that anti-retroviral drugs designed to keep gays alive longer has actually
contributed to the spread of AIDS in the U.S.
Dr. Waimar Tun, a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says "The
advent of powerful anti-retroviral drugs has had unintended consequences. The
number of HIV-infected cases jumped 17% among gay and bisexual males from
1999-2002, compared with a 7% increase among men overall.
Dr. Jeffrey
Parsons, who has studied the practice of barebacking (unprotected anal sex)
among gays said: "Sure it's irrational; people do a lot of things that are
irrational. You cay the same thing about cigarette smoking or riding without a
seat belt or other health-damaging things people engage in." Parsons also says
many gay and bisexual men have become complacent and experience "safe-sex
burnout.'
Dr. Parsons notes that barebacking is far more dangerous than oral sex and says
there are complex roots to this practice including sexual compulsion,
loneliness, and a desire for intimacy.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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