Pope right about AIDS
The director of Harvard's AIDS Prevention Research Project is affirming that Benedict XVI's position was right in the debate on AIDS and condoms.
Green, an expert on AIDS prevention, said that "as a scientist he was amazed to see the closeness between what the Pope said last March in Cameroon and the results of the most recent scientific discoveries.The condom does not prevent AIDS. Only responsible sexual behavior can address the pandemic. When Benedict XVI said that different sexual behavior should be adopted in Africa, because to put trust in condoms does not serve to fight against AIDS, the international press was scandalized."
The scientist affirmed that the Holy Father spoke the truth. He noted, "The condom can work for particular individuals, but it will not serve to address the situation of a continent. To propose the regular use of the condom as prevention in Africa could have the opposite effect."
He explained the phenomenon of human behavior called "risk compensation," whereby a person "feels protected and thus exposes himself more."
Green highlighted the successful policies that have been implemented in Uganda to battle AIDS, programs based in the "ABC" strategy: "Abstain, Be faithful, and, as a last resource, use a Condom."
He reported: "In the case of Uganda, an impressive result has been obtained in the fight against AIDS. The president was able to tell the truth to his people, to young people, that on occasions some sacrifice, abstinence and fidelity are necessary. The result has been formidable."
Green, an expert on AIDS prevention, said that "as a scientist he was amazed to see the closeness between what the Pope said last March in Cameroon and the results of the most recent scientific discoveries.The condom does not prevent AIDS. Only responsible sexual behavior can address the pandemic. When Benedict XVI said that different sexual behavior should be adopted in Africa, because to put trust in condoms does not serve to fight against AIDS, the international press was scandalized."
The scientist affirmed that the Holy Father spoke the truth. He noted, "The condom can work for particular individuals, but it will not serve to address the situation of a continent. To propose the regular use of the condom as prevention in Africa could have the opposite effect."
He explained the phenomenon of human behavior called "risk compensation," whereby a person "feels protected and thus exposes himself more."
Green highlighted the successful policies that have been implemented in Uganda to battle AIDS, programs based in the "ABC" strategy: "Abstain, Be faithful, and, as a last resource, use a Condom."
He reported: "In the case of Uganda, an impressive result has been obtained in the fight against AIDS. The president was able to tell the truth to his people, to young people, that on occasions some sacrifice, abstinence and fidelity are necessary. The result has been formidable."
posted by cdam at
11:23 AM
