In 1987, Dr. Peter Duesberg published a paper on cancer research in which he made the case, almost as an aside, that HIV (a retrovirus, the same class of virus suspected at the time to cause cancer) cannot be the cause of AIDS.

Four years later, in 1991, after mounting criticism over Duesberg’s position, and simultaneous support from a growing number of scientists who felt that HIV science just didn’t add up, a number of scientists formed “The Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis” (usually shortened to simply "The Group"), and crafted a letter for submission to the editors of Nature, Science, The Lancet, and The New England Journal of Medicine, all of whom refused to publish the letter.

Yet another four years later, The Group was able to have this statement, signed by 32 scientists with advanced medical degrees, published in Science (17 Feb. 1995, vol. 267, pp. 945-946):

"It is widely believed by the general public that a retrovirus called HIV causes the group of diseases called AIDS. Many biochemical scientists now question this hypothesis. We propose that a thorough reappraisal of the existing evidence for and against this hypothesis be conducted by a suitable independent group. We further propose that critical epidemiological studies be devised and undertaken."

Since this letter was published, over 2,100 people have signed their names in agreement to this statement. This list comprises "The Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis."

Also since this statement was published, The Group established a long-running newsletter titled "Rethinking AIDS" (renamed "Reappraising AIDS" for a time, and then back again), and subsequently established itself as a 501(3)(c) [non-profit] organization, with the official combined name: "Rethinking AIDS: The Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis." As a result of the newsletter's name and its synonymity with the organization, The Group is also known as "RA".

A subset of the 2,100 signatories comprise the RA Board of Directors.

The bylaws of the organization can be viewed at rethinkingaids.com/TheBoard/Bylaws/tabid/83/Default.aspx