SAN FRANCISCO (Rethinking AIDS) April 29, 2008 — At a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor and friend of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, promoted a conspiratorial view of HIV and AIDS among minorities. To correct the misrepresentation of science on this crucial issue, Rethinking AIDS is making its scientific experts available for interviews.

While we wish not to comment on the racial tenor of Rev. Wright's comments, we do have information on racial issues in HIV/AIDS, particularly the bias inherent in HIV testing. As you may know, HIV tests do not actually detect the presence of HIV itself, but of non-specific antibodies or genetic material associated with HIV. Scientific and epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown that African-Americans are more likely to register positive than caucasians and those lacking "risk factors" associated with AIDS.

Rethinking AIDS, an international organization of more than 2,300 scientists, medical doctors, journalists, health advocates and business professionals, formed in 1991 to express growing concerns about HIV research and the resulting human rights abuses.

Media Contacts:

David Crowe
President
Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Mountain time zone)
1-403-289-6609 (office)
1-403-861-2225 (mobile)
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Elizabeth Ely
Public Relations Coordinator
Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S. (Eastern time zone)
1-718-704-9672 (mobile)
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