A.I.D.S. ‘best Thing For Human Race (Press, 15 September 1986)

In a controversial statement made during the International Congress of the Family in Paris on 15 September 1986, Dr Kevin Hume, an Australian doctor and president of the Festival of Light, suggested that AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) could be seen as a significant wake-up call for humanity, akin to the impact of the “Black Death.” Dr Hume posited that while the current AIDS crisis is tragic, resulting in thousands of deaths, it could ultimately highlight the perils of sexual promiscuity and compel society to consider chastity as a solution. Dr Hume has been involved in medical investigations regarding AIDS since its emergence in 1981. He argued that the disease should prompt a reevaluation of societal norms regarding sexual behaviour and that humanity, in general, is excessively sexualised and out of sync with natural reproductive needs. He claimed that this imbalance is leading to the elimination of the more promiscuous individuals, starting with homosexuals who, according to his view, are dying off first due to higher rates of sexual promiscuity. He extended this notion to include heterosexuals and asserted that drug addicts, also regarded as part of society’s moral decay, are similarly affected by the disease. During his time at the conference, Dr Hume expressed skepticism regarding the development of an effective vaccine for AIDS, suggesting that it could take many years and might not work effectively, similar to influenza vaccines. He warned the public against placing their hopes in a solution that may not arrive in time to help those currently suffering from the disease. In addition, Dr Hume indicated his intention to advocate for better end-of-life care for AIDS patients, highlighting the need for hospices where these individuals could die with dignity, as opposed to occupying hospital beds meant for patients with treatable conditions. He expressed a desire to collaborate with Mother Teresa of Calcutta—who was also participating in the congress—to persuade the Premier of New South Wales to support the establishment of such facilities. Moreover, Dr Hume raised concerns about some homosexual AIDS patients allegedly spreading the disease intentionally as a form of retaliation against societal ostracism. His comments reflect a broader commentary on the implications of societal behaviours and the moral lessons he believes might be gleaned from the AIDS epidemic.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand