Spread of HIV misinformation online - 6 views

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  #1 jaime yeo on 21 Aug 09

   

  "HIV denialists" - people who deny that HIV will cause AIDS, have been spreading information about their beliefs on the Internet. There is a cause for concern that such false information will deter HIV patients from seeking treatment, or people from practicing safe sex.
  
  Question - Is it ethical for people to voice their views on an issue when society holds that view to be false?
  
  In such a case, do HIV denialists have a right to publish online information which they hold to be true? From a human rights perspective, HIV denialists may claim a right to free speech on an issue which they believe is true. Can their views be accepted as part of a pluralistic society?
  The question boils down to what truth is, and whether a person can express alternative views to what society calls truth. In this case, medical science has already proven the link between HIV and AIDS. Teleologically, expressing such views is not ethical. The risks on a person and society because he abstains from treatment / safe sex is far greater than if he were to seek treatment / practice safe sex. From a utilitarian view, spreading information that may endanger the lives of people (even if you did not think it does) is not ethical.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">"HIV denialists" - people who deny that HIV will cause AIDS, have been spreading information about their beliefs on the Internet. There is a cause for concern that such false information will deter HIV patients from seeking treatment, or people from practicing safe sex. <br /> <br /> Question - Is it ethical for people to voice their views on an issue when society holds that view to be false? <br /> <br /> In such a case, do HIV denialists have a right to publish online information which they hold to be true? From a human rights perspective, HIV denialists may claim a right to free speech on an issue which they believe is true. Can their views be accepted as part of a pluralistic society? <br /> The question boils down to what truth is, and whether a person can express alternative views to what society calls truth. In this case, medical science has already proven the link between HIV and AIDS. Teleologically, expressing such views is not ethical. The risks on a person and society because he abstains from treatment / safe sex is far greater than if he were to seek treatment / practice safe sex. From a utilitarian view, spreading information that may endanger the lives of people (even if you did not think it does) is not ethical.</div>

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