TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Your letters: Circumcision to curb HIV/AIDS?
I refer to an article on page 3 of The Jakarta Postâs July 7 edition titled â230 Papuans circumcised to curb HIV/AIDSâ
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
I
refer to an article on page 3 of The Jakarta Post's July 7 edition titled '230 Papuans circumcised to curb HIV/AIDS'.
Being circumcised does not help curb HIV or AIDS. Being circumcised does not slow the spread of venereal diseases, or any other type of sexually transmitted disease (STD).
You quote that the (fore)skin is where different germs may be nesting; whilst that may be so for some bacteria and other microorganisms, good personal hygiene (washing with soap) is generally sufficient to eliminate these.
Most STDs (including HIV/AIDS) are spread by bodily fluids (blood, semen, etc).
The only ways to not transmit these infections is either to abstain from sexual contact (which doesn't have to be full penetration) completely, or to wear a condom (95-99 percent safe; better than anything else).
Your story misleads readers into thinking that they won't catch diseases if they get circumcised ' this is wrong and potentially life-threatening to anyone who believes your article.
Please amend your story. You might just save lives if you do.
John J. Smith
Hampshire, UK
