Re: OT: CDC recommends male circumcision as very effective to fight HIV (AIDS)

["Rob, grandpa of Ryan, Trevor, Devon & Hannah" <rMslade () shaw ca>]

+Date sent:             Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:03:31 -0700 (PDT)
From:                   chris () blask org

> o  What is the theory about circumcision reducing AIDS?

Circumcision has long been known to be effective in reducing the occurrence of all 
sorts of all sorts of genital infections.  (Some say that this is balanced by the risks 
associated with the operation itself.  I'm not going to join the "for or against" 
debate, other than to say that, in my days working in a hospital, I had to "special" 
a patient who had had to have a circumcision late in life due to infections, and it 
wasn't fun.)  I believe the general theory is that the flexing and retraction of the 
foreskin (even when sexual activity is not involved) increases microscopic tears 
and lesions, and the fold of the foreskin over the glans provides a catchment area 
for infective or necrotic material.

> o  Why is it "only in high-risk populations" and not in the general population?

In low risk populations the incidence of AIDS is low enough that somebody could 
probably make a statistical case for the preventive properties of holding an 
unpeeled carrot between your toes.  (Somebody else could probably make a 
statistical case indicating the dangers of said carrots.)

> Is it possible that
> social factors associated with parents who circumcise is the cause of
> differences among high-risk populations?

Possible, but I believe the study adjusted for that kind of factor.  I think that at 
least some of the study looked at those who had circumcision in their teens and 
twenties *as* a preventive measure.

> I have to admit, though, that
> my bias is to believe the reason is the same as the ritual of female genital
> mutilation: to decrease sexual pleasure for the purpose of societal control.

I'm really not sure what you mean by that, but I've got the feeling that somebody 
is doing it wrong.

(For various values of "it.")

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