Circumcision could help prevent AIDS

[greenie_breizh]

And just when I thought I wouldn't want my son circumsied, apparently circumcision reduces the risk to be infected by AIDS. (An article on the topic in French here.)

The article from National Geographic is better since it provides more details on why : "The reason for the increased risk of infection, experts say, is because the foreskin of the penis is susceptible to scratches and tears during intercourse. In addition, the foreskin contains a high density of Langerhans cells, which are especially vulnerable to HIV."

And let's not be too quick to jump to conclusions : "Despite the encouraging new statistics, Auvert, the study leader, warns that his report is far from the final word. "It's too early to say male circumcision should be integrated in a plan to fight the spread of HIV,because the study has only been done in one place.""

Um, sorry for the guys who like their foreskin?


EDIT : Obviously that shouldn't be ANY sort of incentive not to wear a condom. And I'm very skeptical myself as to those results, but I was very intrigued by the findings.

Comments

[greenie-breizh.livejournal.com]

I'm really not clear on the HPV vaccine - but I know I'd definitely more readily have my kids have a shot than cut any part of their body... that said, I'm really not into the whole "let's give our kids shots for everything".

[roniabirk.livejournal.com]

*L* Yeah, that was just a knee jerk reaction to what I viewed as a "It affects girls, let's do it!" versuse "It affects boys. Well, hang on a bit longer, okay?"

They aren't truly comparable situations. Similar is some regards, but not more than that.