Against male circumcision to slow AIDS
I was disgusted to read that scientists at the AIDS conference in Toronto actually have advocated male genital mutilation as a means to slow the AIDS epidemic (“Male circumcision could be a tool in prevention of HIV,” Dallas Voice, Aug. 25). To hear one of those scientists a woman, no less state that researchers are “excited” about this procedure is equally repulsive.
By their own admission, the conference attendees realize this is not a final solution to the AIDS crisis. Yet, these are the same experts who have railed against female genital mutilation, honor killings and other crimes against women in this same part of the world.
While it may be politically correct to butcher infant males for the sake of protecting women in the future, it’s simply misguided and asinine. You don’t harm or kill one group of people to safeguard another.
Uncircumcised penises are not spreading the AIDS virus; unprotected and casual sex, coupled with inadequate health care systems and blatant ignorance, are the culprits. The AIDS epidemic in impoverished nations will slow only with education about its causes and transmission, better health care and the empowerment of women. Violence whether ritualistic or spontaneous never solves anything.
Alejandro De La Garza
Dallas
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This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, August 25, 2006.