Investigating the origin of AIDS: some ethical dimensions

B. Martin, University of Wollongong

Article comments

This article was originally published as: Martin, B, Investigating the origin of AIDS: some ethical dimensions, Journal of Medical Ethics, 2003, 29(4), 253-256. Copyright BMJ Journals 2003. The Journal of Medical Ethics journal/website is located at: http://jme.bmjjournals.com/.

Abstract

The theory that AIDS originated from contaminated polio vaccines raises a number of challenging issues with ethical dimensions. The Journal of Medical Ethics dealt with a submission about the theory a decade ago; subsequent developments have raised further issues. Four areas of contention are addressed: whether the theory should be investigated, whether anyone should be blamed, whether defamation actions are appropriate and whether the scientific community has a responsibility to examine unorthodox theories.