Denying Aids

Now from the editor of the journalAIDS and Behaviorcomes a bold exposé of the scientific and sociopolitical forces involved in this toxic evasion.Denying AIDStraces the origins of AIDS dissidents disclaimers during the earliest days of the epidemic and delves into the psychology and politics of the current denial movement in its various incarnations. Seth Kalichman focuses not on the "difficult" or doubting patient, but on organized, widespread forms of denial (including the idea that HIV itself is a myth and HIV treatments are poison) and the junk science, faulty logic, conspiracy theories, and larger forces of homophobia and racism that fuel them. The malignant results of AIDS denial can be seen in those individuals who refuse to be tested, ignore their diagnoses, or reject the treatments that could save their lives. Instead of ignoring these currents, asserts Kalichman, science has a duty to counter them. Among the topics covered: - Why AIDS denialism endures, and why science must understand it. - Pioneer virus HIV researcher Peter Duesberg's role in AIDS denialism. - Flawed immunological, virological, and pharmacological pseudoscience studies that are central to texts of denialism. - The social conservative agenda and the politics of AIDS denial, from the courts to the White House. - The impact of HIV misinformation on public health in South Africa. - Fighting fiction with reality: anti-denialism and the scientific community. For anyone affected by, interested in, or working with researchers in HIV/AIDS, and public health professionals in general, the insight and vision ofDenying AIDSwill inspire outrage, discussion, and ultimately action. See http://denyingaids.blogspot.com/ for more information.