EON

With HIV infection reaching epidemic proportions in parts of the world, scientists are searching for any method possible to help reduce infection rates. Most recently, a study was conducted to investigate the role circumcision plays in HIV infection rates. Given the fact that circumcised men are less likely to contract HIV than non-circumcised men scientists began to ponder other possibilities for circumcision.

Scientists hypothesized that since the skin cells found in the foreskin are especially susceptible to infection by the HIV virus, removal of that skin might reduce the rate of the spread of the infection. Scientists also hoped that removal of the foreskin would also reduce transmission rates from infected males to their partners.

Unfortunately, the results of the investigation yielded little to be hopeful of. In fact, the study was canceled prior to its completion due to “futility.” It was discovered that women partnered with circumcised, HIV-infected males were being infected at the same rate as the women who were partnered with non-circumcised HIV-infected males. In short, these findings provide more questions than answers, what exactly is it about being a circumcised man that makes you less likely to contract HIV? The fact that transmission rates were not affected by circumcision may point to an answer that lies within a behavioral commonality that circumcised men share. Perhaps it is the fact that developed countries have a higher rate of circumcision as well as lower rates of HIV infection. Whatever the cas may be, it is clear that further research is warranted in this field.