Case Of Passion And Humanity Marred By Fatal Flaw (Press, 22 April 1989)

The review of journalist Jad Adams's book "A.I.D.S.: The H.I.V. Myth" reveals a contentious exploration of the A.I.D.S. epidemic and the societal reactions it has provoked. Adams's work delves into the early days of the disease, focusing on cases that began to emerge in the early 1980s, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma in young men, a condition previously seen primarily in older Jewish and Italian men. Other opportunistic infections, like thrush and pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii, highlighted the impact on the immune system's key T-cells. A significant issue raised by Adams is the inadvertent transmission of the A.I.D.S. virus through blood products. In an effort to create a hepatitis B vaccine, members of the gay community were encouraged to donate blood, which later contaminated the blood supply and led to infections among hemophiliacs via Factor VIII. Adams critiques the scientific community's handling of the epidemic, spotlighting the rivalry between prominent researchers Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier. Gallo's claim in 1984 to have discovered the A.I.D.S. virus was met with great acclaim, despite the New York Times recognising Montagnier's earlier contributions. The review also introduces Peter Duesberg, a virologist who controversially argues that H.I.V. may not be the cause of A.I.D.S. Instead, he challenges the mainstream view and suggests that H.I.V. could be merely an innocent bystander in the disease process, proposing associations with other conditions such as syphilis. Adams seems to endorse Duesberg's stance, though Beverly Halstead, the reviewer, firmly disputes this viewpoint, emphasising that H.I.V. does indeed discriminate based on risk behaviours rather than sexual orientation or gender. The review concludes with a criticism of Adams's assertion that a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle are crucial in combating A.I.D.S. This perspective, Halstead argues, echoes sentiments from the early days of the epidemic and fails to provide the necessary insight or solutions to a highly complex public health crisis. Halstead expresses disappointment that a writer of Adams's calibre is advocating a viewpoint she finds to be fundamentally flawed.

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