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.