To cut or not to cut—that is the question. The answer? Cut.
A new study in Africa has found that circumcised penises are less likely to sustain sex-related cuts or abrasions and therefore reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. Reuters reports that surveys in 2005 and 2006 in Uganda, South Africa, and Kenya indicate that the spread of the diseases could be reduced during heterosexual intercourse by up to 60 percent. That’s no small factor.
From the story: “For the new study, researchers used data from an HIV clinical trial in Africa, where nearly 2,800 men between the ages of 18 and 24 were randomly assigned to undergo circumcision or remain uncircumcised.” Yikes. Wouldn’t want to be those unlucky uncut guys. (There’s some helplessness implied by the world “assigned.”)
More than half of all men in the United States are circumcised. And even if you’re not in the majority, you don’t necessarily have to line up to get all Biblical. But hey, it might be something to think about for any kids in your future.
With all that said, realize that circumcision does not prevent the spread of AIDS; it just limits risk a little bit, according to this study. So, before you rush out into the deluge, remember to wear a raincoat.
—Seth Putnam
“indicate that the spread of the diseases could be reduced during heterosexual intercourse by up to 60 percent.”
So why doesn’t it work for the homosexuals. Oh, I forgot God hates gays.
How did they figure that out anyway? Did they force them to have sex with HIV infected people?
The African clinical trials tell us nothing about whether it is medically advisable to circumcise routinely an American baby boy. The African clinical trials were not designed to investigate a host of sexual possibilities. There are already reports that circumcised African men have come to believe that they are immune from AIDS. Circumcision could discourage condom use by reducing sexual sensations. Circumcised men could offset the benefit of having no foreskin by engaging in rougher sex that puts their partners at greater risk. The African clinical trials would not pass muster with any human ethics committee in the First World.… Read more »
That was my thought. Are they suggesting that circumcision should replace condom use? Not having sex reduces the risk of HIV/AIDS also so should we push the abstinence only thing?
It’s sickening to see forced infant genital mutilation promoted using AIDS hysteria. It’s a violation of human rights, irreversibly damaging and kills over a 117 baby boys in the US each year.
I’ve got an even better preventive measure against AIDS: Education. Knowing whether or not your partner is HIV+ goes a lot further than a bit of skin off your disco stick. All the health “benefits” around circumcision have, in my opinion, been overblown. Like in this article here. I’m willing to bet that circumcision can drastically curtail the spread of STDs – because it hurts too damn much to do anything for a while. After that, you’re no more at risk than the uncut guy. Circumcision is a myth. People have looked long and hard to find any benefits, and… Read more »