title: Investigating the origin of AIDS: some ethical dimensions.
abstract: The theory that AIDS originated from contaminated polio vaccines raises a number of challenging issues with ethical dimensions. The Journal of Medical Ethics dealt with a submission about the theory a decade ago; subsequent developments have raised further issues. Four areas of contention are addressed: whether the theory should be investigated; whether anyone should be blamed; whether defamation actions are appropriate, and whether the scientific community has a responsibility to examine unorthodox theories.
authors.affiliation: Science, Technology, and Society, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. brian_martin@uow.edu.au
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D032984:Ethics, Research; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects; D015301:Retroviruses, Simian / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission; D012941:Social Responsibility
chemical_list: D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines