Holy Condoms, Batman: The Catholic Church is telling people in countries stricken by Aids not to use condoms because they have tiny holes in them through which the HIV virus can pass - potentially exposing thousands of people to risk. The church is making the claims across four continents despite a widespread scientific consensus that condoms are impermeable to the HIV virus. The church's claims are revealed in a
BBC1 Panorama programme,
Sex and the Holy City, to be broadcast on Sunday.
According to a
Special Report on Aids in the
Guardian, the World Health Organisation has condemned the Vatican's views, saying: "These incorrect statements about condoms and HIV are dangerous when we are facing a global
pandemic which has already killed more than 20 million people, and currently affects at least 42 million." The WHO says "consistent and correct" condom use reduces the risk of HIV infection by 90%. There may be breakage or slippage of condoms - but not, the WHO says, holes through which the virus can pass.
According to a sex health education website at Michigan State University, the
trick is putting the condom on properly. MSU's
slogan:
Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. October is national
AIDS Awareness Month.
It was about time we did
something to
sex up the front page of Wordlab, don't ya think?
Posted by
abnu on Friday, October 10, 2003 @ 2:53 AM
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