tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post5065953243440768618..comments2024-02-25T14:29:44.021-05:00Comments on Denying AIDS and other oddities: The Anti-Science of AIDS Denialism: New Must Read Blog PostSeth Kalichmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715826946361587097noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-10967223621739395952011-07-31T18:18:08.565-04:002011-07-31T18:18:08.565-04:00Seth Kalichman, you may be an epidemiologist, but ...Seth Kalichman, you may be an epidemiologist, but your statements are either exaggerated, unproven, or plain incorrect. You said:<br />1) "The evidence that MC prevents HIV transmission from women to men is beyond compelling."<br /><br />NO, the evidence that MC prevents HIV is NOT proven, although there is SOME evidence that it helps to reduce HIV transmission via heterosexual sex. The three RCTs found a 50-60% reduction over about 18 months (in real terms, not particularly good). However, the RCTs may be much more context-specific than you imagine, and their results are evidently not projectable onto other countries, particularly developed nations. The HIV pandemic is now of 30 years' standing, yet there is still absolutely no evidence that uncircumcised men in any developed nation (e.g in the USA) have statistically more HIV infection than the circumcised men of that population. <br /><br />Physiology: According to research by de Witte, published in the Lancet (2007), foreskin Langerhans cells DESTROY invading HIV viruses (by releasing the viricide, Langerin, and also by stimulating an immune response against the viral invaders). However, if the exposure to HIV is VERY HIGH (or above a certain threshold), then presumably immune, protective cells can get overwhelmed, and in that scenario, the foreskin would present as little more than extra surface area for HIV invasion. In practical terms, this means that circumcision may confer some small protection on men who indulge in promiscuous sex with, for example, Sub-Saharan prostitutes (who have very high HIV infectivity). The corollary, however, is that the foreskin could confer NET PROTECTION against HIV if the exposure to HIV is within a more normal or lower range, in which Langerhans cells are effective. This scenario, or hypothesis, would help to explain why non-circumcising Europe and Japan have the LEAST incidences of HIV in the world (lower than the 80% circumcised USA). HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE VERY LOW HETEROSEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF HIV IN THE INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS OF EUROPEAN NATIONS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE STATISTICALLY NO MORE HIV THAN ISRAEL? (See: "cia world fact book hiv/aids adult prevalence rate"). As many epidemiologic studies show, the prevalence of HIV is related statistically to socioeconomic factors, probably not circumcision status. <br /><br />Even within Africa there is much conflicting data, e.g. metanalyses performed by Garenne (2008), Van Howe (1999), Way (2006), Connolly (2008), and others in Africa have failed to validate circumcision as protective against HIV. <br /><br />2. You said: "The reduction in risk is probably around 50%..an amazing amount of protection."<br /><br />As an epidemiologist, you should know that a relative risk reduction of 50% is poor, and remember, it has only been found over a period of about 18 months (duration of the trials). This means that if a circumcised man continues to indulge in unprotected promiscuity, he will come down with HIV regardless. He may be protected a little longer than if he were not circumcised - but that's all! It is unscientific and senseless to compare circumcision to a vaccine (not you).<br /><br />3). You siad: "If every male baby in southern Africa were to receive MC we would see a huge reduction, dare I say near elimination, of HIV in a couple generations."<br /><br />That is a ridiculously unscientific statment, not predicated on any facts! Based on a relative reduction of only about 50%, you have no grounds to come to that conclusion. The only way to eliminate HIV is safe sex practice. Circumcision is the LEAST protective method, and appears to be be ineffective in many environments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-70465182191761020752011-02-11T08:19:22.030-05:002011-02-11T08:19:22.030-05:00Don't try convincing Clarkie Baker that climat...Don't try convincing Clarkie Baker that climate change is happening. Clark is uneducated and tries to compensate for his low station in life by posting silly rants online. He is an example of the crossover of AIDS Denialism/Climate Change Denialism/ 9-11 Conspiracy Theorists - and other idiotic whackjobs.Kralc Rekabhttp://google.com/profiles/clarkwarrenbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-3700995630953475572011-02-07T15:40:19.500-05:002011-02-07T15:40:19.500-05:00Ah, that's right the worst blizzards in histor...<i>Ah, that's right the worst blizzards in history are proof that the planet is warming, silly me. </i><br /><br />Actually it is. There's not a lot of ice up in the <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/0205/Winter-s-freezing-so-what-s-with-Arctic-sea-ice" rel="nofollow">Arctic right now.</a> The Arctic Oscillation is in a negative phase which sends cold air south. <br /> <br />If that doesn't convince you, consider the drought in the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12356835" rel="nofollow">Amazon rain forest</a>, or the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/12/us-climate-australia-floods-idUSTRE70B1XF20110112" rel="nofollow">floods in Australia linked to warmer ocean temperatures.</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-78624135497696747162011-02-06T20:33:45.399-05:002011-02-06T20:33:45.399-05:00I would like to point out to "anonymous"...I would like to point out to "anonymous" that "Global Warming" is a misnomer and shows your extreme ignorance. The real science focuses on Climate Change which is a much better description of what is happening. Perhaps you should do a little more studying and spend less time on your Tin Foil Helmet.Gay Hornethttp://gh.aol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-77892191702702302592011-02-05T23:23:00.133-05:002011-02-05T23:23:00.133-05:00Yes sofiarune
You will find them all here.
It is l...Yes sofiarune<br />You will find them all here.<br />It is like a nut farm. As you can see, they are quite the bunch. As ignorant of climate change as they are HIV/AIDS. <br />Crazy is as crazy does...Seth Kalichmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01715826946361587097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-67211468714095464732011-02-05T23:18:45.164-05:002011-02-05T23:18:45.164-05:00So who are you and what is your problem? Do you li...So who are you and what is your problem? Do you live under a rock? This AIDS bullshit is just that, BULLSHIT, and how many people have been killed by the drugs, not to mention suicides after they tested positive on the phony HIV test. Get real. The time is coming, little by little people are becoming aware of this massive hoax.Cecilianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-18758368161287972462011-02-05T21:31:38.503-05:002011-02-05T21:31:38.503-05:00Wow you have all of them here don't you? Glob...Wow you have all of them here don't you? Global warming denialists, Jewish conspiracies... I could start a game called "Guess the next nutjob" every time I come to your blog haha.sofiarunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05909176669427658541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-39710202098045691282011-02-04T23:33:35.546-05:002011-02-04T23:33:35.546-05:00How's that global warming going up there in Co...How's that global warming going up there in Connecticut Seth?<br /><br />Ah, that's right the worst blizzards in history are proof that the planet is warming, silly me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-7329732643263941002011-02-03T23:48:50.476-05:002011-02-03T23:48:50.476-05:00sofiarune
No problem at all.
I appreciate your ask...sofiarune<br />No problem at all.<br />I appreciate your asking.<br />No apologies needed. <br />You are correct about my interest in MC for HIV prevention, particularly the behavioral aspects. If you are familiar with the RCT's, then you can see that the data suggest behavioral problems like risk compensation far more than the authors conclude. Especially the Kenya and South Africa trials. <br />Any way, do not mind the nut cases that have chimed in here. I post their comments so that readers can see for themselves how insane AIDS Denialists are. You did nothing to provoke the crazy Jewish comment. They are not equipped to have a legitimate discussion of a real issue in HIV/AIDS, like the merits and meaning of MC for prevention. They believe there should be a debate about whether HIV exists and in the mean time miss the real debates that are happening in the field...<br />We must remember what the great philosopher Joe Walsh once said.."You can't argue with a sick mind".<br />People like you bring substance to my blog. People like Bill, Clark Baker and the other Deniers who try to comment here are purely entertainment.<br />Thanks againSeth Kalichmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01715826946361587097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-31393817448363820362011-02-03T17:35:30.070-05:002011-02-03T17:35:30.070-05:00What is the spread on who's going to kick it f...What is the spread on who's going to kick it first- Bannon or Stokely? I'd put Stokely in at 2:1 odds...Bookienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-74198476716255246002011-02-03T16:34:30.248-05:002011-02-03T16:34:30.248-05:00Didn't mean to start a bit of a spat. I actua...Didn't mean to start a bit of a spat. I actually didn't know that Seth was Jewish so his religious background is irrelevant to me. I sincerely wanted to know what his opinion on the RCTs in Africa was. The data are what the data are. <br /><br />I disagree with him (kind of) but it's not because I think his Jewish background is clouding the issue. We both come from academic backgrounds and I'm confident that we could discuss the concept in a purely scholarly way. I'll probably follow up via email but I've been pretty busy and now I've managed to get sick so it might take me a while. <br /><br />I offer my apologies Seth, I didn't mean for Jewish conspiracies to be triggered via my comment. :Psofiarunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05909176669427658541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-1820418465173799442011-02-03T05:02:57.576-05:002011-02-03T05:02:57.576-05:00Cat got your tongue or you just censoring again? A...Cat got your tongue or you just censoring again? Atypical behaviour of the AIDS Junta.Joe Newtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-51919840688969988692011-01-31T22:37:46.496-05:002011-01-31T22:37:46.496-05:00Can anyone confirm.. I heard that Kary Stockley...Can anyone confirm.. I heard that Kary Stockley's CMV analitis has returned and she is in the hospital again. Is she still refusing HIV treatment? Does she need more surgery? How grave is her condition?Eliza Janenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-32138890049538373852011-01-31T22:35:11.436-05:002011-01-31T22:35:11.436-05:00Yes, that is right.
I am biased in my interpretat...Yes, that is right. <br />I am biased in my interpretation of 20 years of epidemiological research and three randomized controlled trials because I am Jewish. It is the medical establishment, run by Jews, that is conspiring to promote male circumcision for HIV prevention. It is no coincidence that the leading circumcision researcher is named Moses. Yes, I want every male child circumcised because that will make them Jews and we can take over the world, not just the Liberal Media and banks.<br />Now that I am talking Crazy, do you understand me better?<br />You AIDS Deniers are your own worst enemy. No one can explain how insane you are better than you can and do.<br />Good job, and thanks again!Seth Kalichmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01715826946361587097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-25459858460695104602011-01-31T16:53:53.293-05:002011-01-31T16:53:53.293-05:00Sofiarune.
Really, asking Kalichman to comment on...Sofiarune.<br /><br />Really, asking Kalichman to comment on circumcision is akin to questioning his religious faith, of course he's going to recommend it.<br /><br />Try looking at Doctors Who Oppose Circumcision. All qualified M.D's, all believers in HIV/AIDS and all opposed to circumcision as it DOES NOT prevent the transmission of the virus.<br /><br />http://www.nocirc.org/statements/hiv2003.php<br /><br />Perhaps they are circumcision denialists? most likely they just ain't Jewish. Now who originally proposed this theory?<br /><br />Aaron J. FINK M.D. and of what faith would you think he is?<br /><br />Kalichman has perpetual trouble sorting fact from fiction in his faith based science beliefs. But then that's not uncommon in his fantasy world.Don't Cut The Kidsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-15450667508226354862011-01-31T12:53:17.317-05:002011-01-31T12:53:17.317-05:00Hi
my views on Male Circumcision (MC) for HIV prev...Hi<br />my views on Male Circumcision (MC) for HIV prevention...ok...<br /><br />1. The evidence that MC prevents HIV transmission from women to men is beyond compelling.<br /><br />2. The reduction in risk is probably around 50%..an amazing amount of protection.<br /><br />3. If every male baby in southern Africa were to receive MC we would see a huge reduction, dare I say near elimination, of HIV in a couple generations. But that will never happen and it is foolish to think that it could. MC has huge cultural, religious, social, and personal aspects that cannot be ignored..although some people have ignored them.<br /><br />4. There is a considerable problem with circumcised men who correctly believe they are partially protected from HIV stopping use of condoms (100% protective). This is called risk compensation and it is what my research group has been studying. <br /><br />5. A mistake would be to think that MC alone is the answer to HIV prevention, and no one is really saying that.<br /><br />So in summary, MC prevents HIV transmission, but it will not stop HIV epidemics...No one prevention strategy will. Behavioral counseling can enhance the effects of MC buy reducing risk compensation.<br /><br />I wrote commentary in PLOS Medicine about neonatal MC that may be of interest...<br /> http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000219Seth Kalichmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01715826946361587097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633581663557175057.post-81954297003495304022011-01-31T11:27:58.672-05:002011-01-31T11:27:58.672-05:00I'd be really interested to hear your views on...I'd be really interested to hear your views on male circumcision and HIV prevention. It seems to have become a really hot topic since the US introduced PEPFAR which includes male circumcision as an preventive method against HIV infection. I know the original trials had some serious flaws, including ethical questions raised by behavioural changes in circumcised men. I know it's not so much denialism as it is potentially a red herring but I'd love to hear your opinion nonetheless.sofiarunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05909176669427658541noreply@blogger.com