HIV Denialism

HIV denialism is a contradictory set of claims, without foundation is science, that HIV does not exist, that it exists but is harmless, and that AIDS doesn't exist. These mistaken beliefs are harming HIV prevention efforts and access to treatment, especially in the communities most devastated by HIV.

Research/Journal Articles

HIV Denial in the Internet Era, Smith, Tara C., and Steven P. Novella, Plos Medicine

2007-August-21

Denialism has undermined HIV prevention and treatment efforts and influenced dangerous public health policy in South Africa. This open-source article by an epidemiologist and a neurologist briefly summarizes some of the core features of HIV denialismpseudoscience, conspiracy beliefs, diverse and conflicting alternative explanations for AIDS, and fear mongering. The authors emphasize the role of the Internet in disseminating pseudoscientific views and distorting the publics understanding of science through disinformation in web-based venues of which few scientists and doctors are aware.

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  • HIV Denialism

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Letters/Other Advocacy Documents

BBC letter affirming errors in, and apologizing for, airing denialist "Guinea Pig Kids" video

2007-October-23

The British Broadcasting Corporation investigated and affirmed major complaints filed by the Center for HIV Law and Policy and AIDStruth.org that Guinea Pig Kids, an independent video aired on the BBC in 2004, made false and misleading claims about pediatric clinical trials of AIDS medicines that included foster children with HIV/AIDS living at New York Citys Incarnation Childrens Center (ICC). In this 12-page letter, Guinea Pig Kids, Fraser Steel, the Head of Editorial Complaints at the BBC affirmed that the BBC wrongly implied that the HIV-related medications that were being studied were futile and dangerous, and it intentionally ignored their life-saving efficacy. The BBC further acknowledged that the video was fundamentally biased towards the views of HIV denialists, who dont accept the scientific evidence that HIV exists and that it causes AIDS. Mr. Steel concluded that these are serious breaches of the standards set out in the BBCs Editorial Guidelines concerning accuracy and impartiality, and he extends an apology for the deficiencies in the program and the associated website material. The affirmation of the complaint is very important because the credibility of the BBC had lent undeserved legitimacy to false accusations against ICC and to the disinformation about HIV/AIDS, clinical trials and antiretroviral treatments that is spread by HIV denialists. The drugs, which were already approved for adults or for non-AIDS pediatric uses, were being tested to determine the safest and most effective dosages for children living with HIV. Some ICC patients, as well as HIV+ children at some 30 other New York facilities, were among those enrolled in the trials, with the written consent of their parents or guardians, as the only way to get these potentially life-saving medications.

Filed Under:

  • HIV Denialism

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