Robin in Lake Forest,
There is definitly more money in a cure, that maintenance.
You would own the trademark, and thecopyright on the drug, therefore, you could charge whatever price you wanted.
The maintenance drugs would be used on poor people who could not afford the cure.
No conspiricy there.

lertok, jensen beach, fl

He had HIV, knew it, lied about his status in order to have sex with others, and ended up transmitting it. Thirty years would be a reasonable sentence. He got off lightly.

Ozgood, Sydney,

To D, Virginia USA,

What if you are in a relationship with someone for years and you ask them and the reassure you that they do not have any STD and everything is fine, but then it turns out that they are lying?

All you do is make the mistake of trusting someone that you love...how is that wrong? I loved my girlfriend and I was with her for 4 and a half years and it turns out she was lying to me all along..surely she should be culpable for wasting my time and endangering me to a life changing disease? (in this case herpes)

What makes you think that these people DIDNT ASK the man in question? Im sure they did...

You have to support these prosecutions...it is only fair...people cant get away with ruining the lives of others through their own selfishness

James, Doha, Qatar

So if it's a prison sentence for HIV, are we also going to start handing out suspended sentences for herpes, community service for syphilis, fines for gonnorhea and cautions for chlamydia? Can we expect more leniency if previous cases of crabs and NSU are taken into consideration?

GQ, London, UK

What ever happened to personal responsibility? If these uninfected partners were concerned about HIV, it is their responsibility to ASK. Should bad drivers be required to warn their passengers before letting them ride in their car? What if someone wants a ride on a motorcycle -- do they need to be warned about the higher risk of an accident? If I am cooking with raw eggs, do need to warn my guests of the higher risk of salmonella?

D, Virginia, USA

To Babs in Baltimore - and I know that this will be considered a dirty word in today's post-Christian climate, but after reading this very sad article I just couldn't help myself - I know I'll be shot down in flames...
ABSTINENCE!!!
IT'S NOT A JOKE!!! Refraining from sexual activity is a life-saver! (and it's not just for the plain, the overweight, the 'religious' or the poor) Was it ever thus - as STDs are mentioned in The BIBLE.
If young people were taught to RESPECT, UNDERSTAND and CONTROL their sexual feelings, and women especially were not taught to see themselves as objects, there would be a lot less heartache reagarding so-called 'AIDs' and other sexual issues.
CELIBACY clearly remains the last taboo on the road to true sexual liberty in the 21st century. So there. Said it.

toinette, London, Eng

Too many people want to blame someone else for every problem. And if at all possible, blame the government. If a person doesn't have enough self control to not engage in sex when inappropriate (infected, the girl says no, etc) then what kind of person are we dealing with?

James Baker, Tokoyo,

I'd be interested to know why Andre Chad Parenzee and Giovanni Mola (the Italian chef) got nine years each when Sarah Porter was handed a sentence of only 32 months....but then equality between the sexes never a strong suit of the court system.....

Paul, Esher,

The Christian Church's cultural fear of homosexuality stirred by (early Missionary fundamentalism taught to Africans and rife in man Churches in the Western World} has much to answer for in that so many need to deny their sexuality or demonize it. Many women I have counseled in the United States were infected by their husbands or partners who were either gay or bisexual (secretly), in fact, many chose to tell families that they had cancer, rather than leave children with the stigma of being a child of a gay man or woman.

After the 80's eevere losses to HIV in the USA, and the use of effective d rug medication to delay the course of the disease, many younger men believe that safe sex is unnecessary because AIDS is now "curable", which is far from the case. It has just become less sexy to report. As nlong as countries like South Africa say HIV does not lead to AIDS, and, and groups like fundamentalist religions label homosexuality as evil, and birth control a sin, AIDS will thriv

Margaret Denvil, Richmond, Virginia/USA

I was moved by the posting of Patricia of Edmunds England. I found the reply of James, of Jerusalem compassionate but lacking real hope.

It's false to claim that HIV isn’t a death sentence, save intercession by God. Citing the November 2006 issue of Medical Care, at best, under optimal conditions an HIV infected person has only a 24 year life expectancy or rather a languishing existence. Those such as Patricia should look to God though Christ for forgiveness, strength, guidance, eternal salvation through grace and perhaps physical healing. The purveyors of perversion are in no way the crutch on which to lean for she or anyone, anytime. Their counsel is fraught with frail human understanding and errant beliefs. Miracles have and still continue to happen. Despite rants from non-believers including those in bondage to sexual promiscuity –hetro/homosexual acts- God, through Christ will forgive you as he has done for I and others. Find a faith filled Bible rooted Church too.

John Salsgiver, Ford City, Pa.

A similar thing happened to me with my girlfriend only she had herpes. I can say that in my opinion the only mistake these women made was to trust their boyfriend. It was the same mistake I made, and I found out four and a half years into my relationship. The only way to avoid getting HIV or any other STD is to wear a condom at all times. Luckily enough she came clean before I got the disease, however I can guarantee that I will never have sex again without a condom. Ever. Whether I get married or not.

I also agree with Daniel. I think the man in question should have been put away for alot longer, life in my opinion.

It is an absolute disgrace that people do things like this. I am very glad to see that the law is taking these people on.

James, Doha, Qatar

It is incorrect of you to use the word sufferer for this individual since he plainly does not suffer, yet, and the word invokes sympathy for him (but not for too long). Infective HIV carrier would be more to the point. His victims who become positive however will be sufferers.

Bill Q, Derby,

yeah, let's send everybody to jail for everything...you watch the slippery slope you're causing fool, or you'll be next

mark, el paso, tx

I wish more people here in the United States were prosecuted for attempted murder or intent to commit bodily harm..or something for infecting others. Maybe the fear of jail would make people behave better.

Also, constant testing and being married is not prevention. Abstinance is a joke, that's like forcing people to fast. Condoms should be used by ANYONE, married or single who engages in sexual activity.

Babs, Baltimore, MD, USA

a minimum standard sentence should be created in law, with no bail.

Richard Stein, castelnau-riviere-basse, france

There are so many people trying to do what they can to help and fix the problem, many people trying to raise awareness and charities doing that they can to find a cure, with the aim to saving lives.
Then you have people like that who could care less about anyone else but their own pleasure, helping to negate all the hard and effort on the part of the thousands who care.
Thanks.

S.F., Newhall, CA

Troy, Santa Clara, CA is entirely correct of course, it is occasionig grievous bodily harm, not to mention entirely negligent; i'm all for personal responsibility, on the premise one is made available of all necessary and fundamental facts: knowing if you're likely to contract HIV through sex is a necessary fact underpinning said choice.

Aaron

Aaon, Aberystwyth,

James Barker, it is reasonable to expect people with infectious diseases (including colds and flu) to take simple precautions to minimise the risk to others. In the case of colds and flu that could include staying at home until the most infectious phase has passed. For example, your workmates might not die from flu, but I'm sure they will prefer you to remain at home for a day or two rather than coming in to work and infecting the rest of the office. The rest of the public, including the old man, would benefit from similar consideration.

John, Hong Kong,

Oh, please...there is a huge difference between sneezing in public and having sex; namely, the fact that you don't accidentally have sex. Furthermore, suggesting that the victim is responsible since she did not wear a condom ignores the obvious fact that the man KNEW he had AIDS and thus was making an informed decision; she did NOT know, and thus did not have all of the facts available to decide whether to wear a condom or not - or even to have sex with him at all, for that matter.

Troy, Santa Clara, CA

But where does this end? If I have the flu, and I go on a bus and sneeze near an elderly person, who subsequently dies of the flu he contracted from me, do I get a prison sentence? After all, I know that flu can kill elderly people, and I knew that I had flu, and I was reckless as to whether the elderly man contracted it. The answer is that if the elderly man did not want to contract the disease he should not have been on the bus - he took the chance. He could have taken a taxi, just as the woman in the article could have worn a condom.

James Barker, Tokyo, Japan

Yes Oleksa, my Uncle had to receive blood after a motorcycle accident in the late 80's. This was before they tested donated blood for HIV; he died of AIDS a few years later.

BL, Tallahassee,

a very small medical warning tatoo made with non removable ink on infected people and located in a standard location that is only visable to lovers, such as the upper inner thighs by the genitals would give other people an on the spot warning that they should only practice safe sex with that person

any attempt to remove the tatoo would leave telling marks that would also warn people.

joe, bath, uk

I'm sorry to disappoint you, Lisa, but we ARE beasts. We're not as civilised as we pretend to be (or war would no longer exist). And anyway, what the heck is wrong with a condom.

starling, Lancaster,

Just because people are married does not mean they are immuned to getting aids. The highest cases are married men who cheat on their wives with either other women or men. The best protection is to constantly get checked.

leelee, Orlando, Fl

Barry, having married doesn't protect against HIV, there are other ways of contracting it - through the blood, for example. There are numerious cases of infecting innocent in the hospitals

Oleksa, Moscow,

Whilst there is still no concrete, scientific evidence to link HIV infection to AIDS, there is enough circumstantial evidence to warrant extreme caution and safe practice in our sexual relationships - and other STDs to be taken into consideration too. So why did the so called victims in these cases consent to unprotected sex in the first place?

Belinda Sparks, Madrid, Spain

When did the judge consider the fact that the women consented to the sex? A person must assume everyone is infected for a hookup and protect themselves accordingly.

He should be sued civilly, but I see no crime here.

Aaron Matthew Arnwine, Washington, DC, USA

Execute him.

Robert, Charlotte, NC

ABSTINENCE? anyone? I'm not an beast, lacking in self control, and surely that is true of others. Here's a challenge, that is surely called for from all by our current circumstances (if nothing else) : TRY IT!

Lisa, Manhattan, USA

Will he be segregated in prison during his incarceration? "Men will be men" regardless of [his] heterosexual appetite. More than likely, he will encounter sexual activities [or rape] where he can spread the AIDS virus either on the giving or receiving end.

RD Bramlet, Palm Springs, CA/ USA

This desease has been around for 30 years. How can this man be so stupid as to say HIV doesn't lead to AIDS? Is he stupid or just in denial?
I keep hearing young people say 'I don't hang with that type of people". Don't they realize, they are 'that type of people?
Is there are cure for the this ignorant attitude? Yes, EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION. I can't say it enough.
There is no cure for AIDS. Back in the early 80's, they said it would take 11 years to come up with a cure. Obviously there is more money in maintaining rather than curing. That means it is up to mothers, fathers, grandparents, city, state and government officials to make sure EVERYONE knows the risks and how to protect themseleves.

Robin, Lake Forest, CA/USA

He only got nine years? How can this not be at least attempted murder or some other highly serious offense? I'm not saying the women shouldn't have also protected themselves, but if this guy knows he has it and knowingly engages in unprotected sex with people, he knows what he's doing to them.

Daniel, Panama City Beach, USA, FL

Can we expect him to be rearrested later should one, or more, of these women die from Aids in the future? When he is released will there be an enforceable order preventing him from having sex again?

The answers are 'most unlikely'. He is a dangerous man ,he knew what he was doing. He was enjoying sex at the same time as contributing to the causes of an earlier than expected death. Nine years are not enough. He shouldn't be let out at all.

Finn O'Tune, Berlin, Germany

Last year I was talking with a woman who said she had a gay cousin who was HIV positive. He was taking the "drug cocktails". She claimed he was having unprotected sex with other men not disclosing his positive HIV status. I didn't get names but I suspect that this is common. VD is way up in gay males here.

Here in Minneapolis we recently had the "bathroom cruising" arrest of US Senator Larry Craig. He has a wife and children. In the story there was no mention of and HIV test after the arrest.

My view is that the HIV test should be manditory after any "sex related offense and other medical HIV positive tests should be admissible if the person infects others with HIV. DNA style testing can quite accurately the source of the HIV infection. The advanced HIV "drug cocktail" tratments should be considered a privelege, not a right with the stipulation that they inform any sexaul partner of the potential HIV status. If they infect someone lock up for life. (out of characters)

Gregory L Lang, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Dear Patricia,
You are not alone. You are ALIVE, and AIDS is no longer a death sentence. Do something to help yourself. Life can be different. But, you must take the first steps.
With deep care,
James

James, Jerusalem, IS

Having been infected by a man who also kept his illness secret I am just so happy to see that he will at least be paying in some way for his crime. I was unable to bring charges against my ex-fiancè as I just didn't have the physical or mental strength to do so. I saw a solicitor and was told that his medical records could not be requested by anyone except the Judge...which would have meant going through all the pre-trial experiences not having any information at all, such as "discovery" which is usual in a criminal case. I was in Spain at the time and just had to make the best of it. I would have liked to see this man receive some kind of sentence. He is of course living with HIV but has carried on a normal life whereas I just closed down most social activities and spend too much time alone.

Patricia , Bury St. Edmunds, England

Another excellent reason people should not be having sex until they are married to each other! Abstinence is the safest sex!

Barry, Atlanta, USA

Too bad he wasn't tried for attempted murder.

PJ, Virginia, USA