TO: The MAIL AND GUARDIAN Johannesburg, South Africa
Regarding the “Open letter to President Mbeki” from Professors Ryckbi, Williamson and Ms. Morris, PhD, I would like to point out some blatant falsehoods in their harangue against the many scientists who hold dissenting views on HIV/AIDS. First, they claim that the “premier ‘dissident’ information Web site - www.virusmyth.com – does not list any scientific literature more recent than 1992; nor have Peter Duesberg or other prominent ‘dissidents’ ever published any material based on clinical or molecular biological research that bolsters their claims”. A quick survey of the “Find” index at www.virusmyth.com reveals this is far from the truth. Dr. Duesberg and The Perth Group of HIV/AIDS dissidents have 16 articles indexed there all published in peer-reviewed scientific journals since 1992. And there are more by the other 52 authors indexed there. 'The AIDS Dilemma: Drug diseases blamed on a passenger virus' (Genetica 104: 1998) by Duesberg and 'A Critical Analysis of the Pharmacology of AZT and its Use in AIDS' (Current Medical Research and Opinion Vol. 15: Supplement, 1999) by the Perth Group, typical of most of their publications, are exhaustive surveys of relevant “clinical or molecular biological research.” Second, they claim “there is no precedent for the kind of scientific revisionism that these people are attempting.” Scurvy, Beriberi, Pellegra and SMON were all originally believed to be infectious diseases until scientists by force of facts revised their views, saving countless lives. The SMON fiasco in Japan should stand as a warning. Japanese scientists, many seasoned in polio research, were convinced that SMON was infectious, even claiming to have isolated a new viral agent. In the end, medical doctors were forced to admit that their treatment, clioquinol, had actually caused SMON in the first place. The authors of the letter suggest that Mullis, Duesberg and other “distinguished Emeritus Professors” among the dissidents are not “sufficiently well informed as to have any credibility in this debate.” Clearly, the shoe is on the other foot.
Robert Johnston
 TORONTO
tel/fax:(416) 406-HEAL
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