Genesis of the Durban Declaration

THE GENESIS OF THE DURBAN DECLARATION

Thu, 22 Jun 2000  04:22:28 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Colleagues,

You have probably heard about the reappearance of an old myth surrounding the cause of AIDS. Peter Duesberg is back in the columns of Nature and Science. His thesis is that HIV doesn't cause AIDS, that there is no need to screen blood, or treat patients. The situation has taken a serious turn in that President Mbeki of South Africa is consulting him. The consequences are being felt in Africa and Asia.  An international group of scientists and doctors has come up with something called the Durban Declaration to be published in Nature on July 6. You will find it at the bottom of this message. As a scientific statement in plain language, it attempts to set the record straight by stating the facts.

The organizing committee of scientists and front-line physicians has 181 members spread over 43 different countries. The list of committee members follows the declaration. Among them you will find David Baltimore, Sir Aaron Klug, President of the Royal Society, Luc Montagnier, Rolf Zinkernagel and many more.  The object is to get as many names of scientists and doctors to sign on. Names of signatories will appear on the Nature website.  If you would like to sign on we would be delighted. Send me an e-mail confirming this. To economise space on the website we have to name people in a single line:

Name, Major degree, One title if necessary, Hospital/University/Institute,

City, Country.

The form of the ideal response would be:

Durban Declaration: Agreed

Robin WEISS, PhD, Professor, University College, London, UK

Please note in CAPITALS your name as found in the index of an English language scientific paper. This is important as we will be listing everyone in alphabetical order.

Many of you will say that HIV/AIDS is not your area. However over the years you have heard enough of the arguments to understand the association. Furthermore many of you know well infectious diseases and understand Koch's postulates.  If you have colleagues in the laboratory or in the clinic who you feel would like to sign on please ask them. The more the better. However, please note that in order to be authoritative we feel it necessary to restrict the list to those with major university qualifications. Hence please do not ask students. Apologies for this. We would need email replies as soon as possible and before June 27.

Finally please do not talk to reporters about the Durban Declaration until Nature publishes it. If you are asked by a member of the press, just say "I'd be pleased to talk to you about this, but I'm afraid I am not at liberty to do so at the moment."

Please could you point this out to others who wish to sign on.

Many thanks,

Simon Wain-Hobson on behalf of the organizing committee