Criminalisation of HIV transmission: implications for public health in Scotland

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7322.1174

BMJ 2001;323:1174-1177 ( 17 November )

Education and debate

Criminalisation of HIV transmission: implications for public health in Scotland

Sheila M Bird, senior statistician ^a, Andrew J Leigh Brown, visiting professor ^b.

^a MRC Biostatistics Unit, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2SR, ^b Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego Treatment Center, 150 West Washington Street, San Diego CA 92103, USA

Correspondence to: S M Bird sheila.bird@mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Molecular investigation of an outbreak of HIV at Glenochil Prison contributed to the conviction of a former Glenochil druginjector, Mr Stephen Kelly, for culpably and recklessly transmittingHIV to a female sexual partner. We explain why the case of R vKelly has brought the medical and legal professions into conflictand explore its implications for public health and molecular sciencein Scotland. Firstly, even a modest decline in the uptake of HIVtesting by those who are actually infected could herald a onethird increase in new sexually transmitted HIV infections. Secondly,there is now need for a national proforma to assure the qualityand legality of HIV counselling in Scotland as a safeguard forboth counsellors and clients. Thirdly, we discuss curtailmentof molecular research investigations with the potential to discoverincriminating evidence about HIV transmissions unless laboratoryprotocols, or legal safeguards, can be designed which obviate. . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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Criminalisation of HIV transmission: a reply: James Chalmers
bmj.com, 17 Nov 2001 [Full text]
Clarification - No HIV-specific offense in Canada: Catalina Nina
bmj.com, 18 Nov 2001 [Full text]
Criminalisation of HIV transmission: James E Parker
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