Sunday Times,South Africa - May 7, 2000
Laurice Taitz
Although the meeting of 30 scientists and HIV/AIDS specialists took place behind closed doors, the Sunday Times has learned that it was less than cordial.
The scientists were each allowed five minutes to present their views, after which the meeting broke into three groups tasked with exploring:
The causes of AIDS;
Treatment; and
Prevention.
During report backs on these discussions it became clear that the orthodox view had dominated discussion in all three groups.
The group dealing with the causes of AIDS reported a link between HIV and AIDS, while those dealing with treatment reported that AIDS drugs were effective and beneficial in preventing mother-to-childtransmission of the virus.
After the report back on HIV and AIDS , "dissident" scientist Professor Peter Duesberg said: "It's not fair!"
A heated discussion ensued, with dissident Harvey Bialy, who had earlier asked journalists to call him a "heretic" because he disagreed with the "dogma of the AIDS church", joining in.
Duesberg is said to have claimed that proceedings were biased against his views.
Late last night a delegate to the meeting said: "Tomorrow's going to be horrible. Their [the dissidents'] window of opportunity is closing so they're going to be jumping up and down."
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