CONFIDENTIAL
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11
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機密
20.
AIDS is an important factor in any discussion of
proposals to relax laws on homosexual behaviour.
One widely
held view is that AIDS is primarily confined to homosexuals
and that any relaxation of the law which might lead to a
spread of homosexuality in the community would also lead to a
greater incidence of AIDS. It is true that in the West AIDS
is still largely confined to two groups; homosexuals and
intravenous drug abuses. This fact has led to the view that
AIDS has arisen because some social groups follow unusual
sexual practices or are intravenous drug abusers and that if
these practices cease, or as the patients die, the problem
will dissipate.
21.
For
This argument is difficult to sustain in the face of
the evidence available. Several studies in the USA and in
Europe suggest that the role of heterosexual contact in the
transmission of AIDS has been understated (16). Data from
African studies indicate that homosexuality and drug abuse do
not now play a major role in the spread of AIDS (17).
example, there is a 1 : 1 male female ratio among AIDS cases;
AIDS patients have been found to be particularly active
heterosexually; male patients were found to have had sex
significantly more often with female prostitutes than have men
not suffering from AIDS; and female prostitutes show the
highest infection rate. The evidence suggests that, Africa
aside, although the majority of known AIDS cases are among
homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers, the incidence in the
general population is rising.
CONFIDENTIAL
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