HIV antibody testing: who benefits and who loses?
From a public health perspective, a significant milestone in the AIDS crisis so far has been the development of serologic tests to detect exposure to the HIV. With AIDS now reported in more than 124 countries and in every state of the Union, with the possibility that in excess of two million Americans have been infected and in the absence of a cure or vaccine, the issue of testing cannot be ignored anymore. Unfortunately, the testing debate has generated more heat than light. This paper examines the proposed "benefit" to public health in testing certain target groups deemed "at risk", and also discusses socio-ethical implications of such testing. The whole question of HIV antibody testing essentially raises the need for a balance between voluntary and mandatory testing; and society's commitment to protect public health as well as safeguard individual civil rights.
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003219:Confidentiality; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000592:standards; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards; D011291:Premarital Examinations / Q000592:standards; D011329:Prisoners; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D035141:Voluntary Programs