The Debate Over AIDS

An unbiased and open mind is crucial to scientific investigation. However, to publish the fringe viewpoint of Duesberg as if it were somehow scientifically debatable is irresponsible.

As presented by Steve Heimoff (Commentary, July 28), none of Duesberg’s arguments hold up to scientific scrutiny. Thirty cases of AIDS have been reported without evidence of HIV, compared to hundreds of thousands of cases in which such an association was found.

I have cared for dozens of AIDS patients in different stages of the disease who neither drank, smoked or used drugs. Where do they fit into Duesberg’s hypothesis? Finally, most of the other arguments are easily explained by variations in host susceptibility and viral violence.

While Fumento wrote a cogent rebuttal to Heimoff’s column, presenting the two column on the same page in a debate forum showed poor editorial judgment.

As AIDS continues to spread, the public debate over fighting the disease requires proper perspective, especially in the media.

RICHARD GELB MD

Glendale