Former Harvard biologist Dr. Charles Thomas and a group of notable scientists form the Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis by composing a letter in June to several of the most prestigious scientific journals. This letter calls for a reappraisal of the evidence for and against the hypothesis that HIV causes AIDS. All the journals refuse to publish the statement. (At this point in 1999, there are over 1,000 signatories to this letter, including well over 100 scientists, doctors, and clinicians.)

There is public hysteria over the connection between the dental profession and AIDS, as Kimberly Bergalis nears death. She testifies before Congress and writes to the American Medical Association requesting the mandatory testing of health care workers. She testifies to congress in a wheel-chair, with her hair falling out, and barely able to speak. The visible conditions she suffers from are consistent with listed side effects of AZT, although she is later said to have died from AIDS.

In February, Dr. Duesberg publishes, "AIDS Epidemiology: Inconsistencies With HIV and With Infectious Disease." in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The red ribbon is launched as an international symbol of AIDS awareness, and is first shown on television at the New York theatre Tony Awards.

The third antiretroviral drug, dideoxycytidine (ddC), is authorised by the FDA for use by patients intolerant to AZT. All three of the approved drugs are in a group known as nucleoside analogues, which work by randomly terminating DNA synthesis and attacking bone marrow, where t-cells are produced.

By the end of 1991, the second 100,000 AIDS cases have been reported in the United States and there have been 133,000 deaths in people labeled as having AIDS.