The serological tests for HIV have not (to date) been calibrated against an isolate of the HIV virus. Without this "gold-standard calibration" the tests have no business being used in epidemiology or diagnosis, as we have no idea what the false posititive rate (or "specificity") is. And a fp rate of 1 in 100, 000 would still mean many more false cases than true ones.
Isn't it funny how people can be walking around healthy without "realising" they have an apparently deadly virus? This is an epidemic by diagnosis - a false test panics healthy patients into taking a poisonous cure (Used to be AZT, now Cathepsin-D inhibitors) and then they go into physical decline. There have been thousands upon thousands of "AIDs" deaths in the USA, and 90% of them died of liver failure!
Please do not try to confuse a perfectly scary story with the facts. ;-).
I love smart people on FR!
You are right of course but, even on this generally well informed forum, you will not find many who agree with you. I happen to be one of those few.
I'm still looking for that really definitive photo of the HIV virus and any real proof that it is contagious and is the cause of any of the diseases categorized as AIDS. Haven't seen any of that yet. Do a Google Image search for HIV. All you get are "representations". Isn't that a little odd for virus that supposedly destroys your immune system? We should have a photo or two of this little beast by now.
The truth about AIDS is that it largely a disease that affects fringe segments of the population who get it due to risky behavior, like drug users and gay men. The story that the activists and the media concocted in the 90's that AIDS would come to white suburbia and affect everyone was nothing more than a lie used to frighten middle America into donating money for a cause that could be affected by just moderating behavior.