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BOOKS Reviewed by Ruth Parnell THE ORIGIN, PERSISTENCE AND FAILINGS OF HIV/AIDS THEORY by Henry H. Bauer McFarland & Co., Jefferson, NC, 2007 ISBN 978-0-7864-3048-2 (282pp tpb) Available: www.mcfarlandpub.com irginia-based chemistry professor Henry Bauer challenges the consensus on the link between HIV and AIDS with hard evidence gleaned from studying more than two cecacks of HIV testing. He highlights published data that overtum common assumptions, statistical studies which suggest that HIV is not sexually transmitted, and problems inherent in the use of differing diagnostic criteria for AIDS in diverse regions around the world. In his analysis, Prof. Bauer looks at how HIV does not act like a transmitted infection, and how the prevalence of false- positive tests may indicate some level of sample contamination. He notes that HIV-positive results are not specific to HIV, and that HIV infection does not necessarily result in illness. Prof. Bauer's interest in scientific "unorthodoxies" took him on a path that's shown how the medical-scientific establishment is often wrong on major matters; e.g., contrary to conventional wisdom it's now accepted that bacteria cause stomach ulcers. So it stands to REVIEWS reason that some caution be applied so as B O O K S to learn from the errors of history. Reviewed by Ruth Parnell In discussing how the HIV/AIDS theory took and has kept hold, Bauer considers THE ORIGIN, PERSISTENCE AND misguided classifications, single-minded FAILINGS OF HIV/AIDS THEORY specialists, vested interests, data censoring by Henry H. Bauer and media bias. Belief in a spreading McFarland & Co., Jefferson, NC, 2007 _ global HIV/AIDS epidemic was sustained ISBN 978-0-7864-3048-2 (282pp tpb) by misguided computer-generated : Available: www.mcfarlandpub.com _¢stimates based on invalid assumptions inginia-based chemistry professor Henry and inadequate data, he charges in this no- Bauer challenges the consensus on the holds-barred book. foods —fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, shellfish and spices—hit the supermarket shelves, and with little or no labelling. It may be true that irradiation kills some bacteria, but the pathogens that remain can still cause food poisoning and even death. It's obviously not the way to ensure a clean food supply. Hauter and Worth's coverage takes in the istory of irradiation, research into the dangers (e.g., genetic damage), the nuclear "spin" for profit over safety, threats to small-scale agriculture and the flawed endorsement in 1999 of food irradiation by US government agencies. Their book includes extensive references and resources for further research. So, get active, not radioactive! evidence gleaned fiom studying more thn ZAPPED! Irradiation and the endorsement in 1999 of food inaction ‘wo sof testing. He highlights Death of Food includes extensive references and resources published cata that overtum common by Wenonah Hauter & Mark Worth for further research assumptions, statistical studies which suggest Food & Water Watch Press, ; So, get active, not radioactive! that HIV is not sexually transmitted, and Washington, DC, USA, 2008 ©, Bet active, not Tacloacve problems inherent in the use of differing ISBN 978-0-9801157-0-3 (211pp tpb) diagnostic criteria for AIDS in diverse regions Avail: www.foodandwaterwatch.org around the world. rassroots consumer groups have been In his analysis, Prof. Bauer looks at battling for years to educate the public, how HIV does not act like a transmitted policymakers and media about the dangers of infection, and how the prevalence of false- eating irradiated foods. Increasingly since the positive tests may indicate some level of 1990s they've pointed the finger at collusion sample contamination. He notes that between agribusiness, the nuclear industry and HIV-positive results are not specific to their allies in govemments to force irradiated HIV, and that HIV infection does not food on an unsuspecting public. necessarily result in illness. Long-time activists Wenonah Hauter and Prof. Bauer's interest in scientific Mark Worth joined forces for this "unorthodoxies" took him on a path that's comprehensive study that overtums the shown how the medical-scientific misinformation campaigns of irradiation's establishment is often wrong on major vested interests and stimulates debate on matters; e.g., contrary to conventional the scientific data as well as the political wisdom it's now accepted that bacteria and economic aspects. Their clarion call cause stomach ulcers. So it stands to is urgent as more and more irradiated i. : Y ; | andNA arlaWortibe NEXUS ¢ 63 FEBRUARY — MARCH 2009 www.nexusmagazine.com