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AIDS Policy Center Disagrees With New HIV Testing Policy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have instituted a universal HIV testing policy for pregnant mothers that would not require their informed consent.

The director of AIDS Policy Center, David Harvey, commented that “We are disappointed by this policy…pregnant women would be the only group that could be tested for HIV without the benefit of pre-test counseling or affirmative informed consent.”

Dorothy Mann, executive director of the Family Planning Council, added that the present guidelines are working and that the number of pediatric HIV cases has decreased by 63% since 1994.

The AIDS Policy Center is primarily concerned that pregnant women would not be counseled about HIV/AIDS, and that they will no longer be required to consent to being tested.

Sources:

U.S. Newswire - July 7, 1999

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