Madam, - Father Michael Kelly deals with the question of the lawful use of condoms in the HIV context (Rite and Reason, February 9th). The question we really should be asking is: Are condoms effective in preventing the contraction and the transmission of this fatal disease? Are they having results?
In a recent research paper presented at the Medical Institute of Sexual Health in Washington DC, Dr Edward C. Green of Harvard University's Centre for Population and Development Studies stated that "20 years into the pandemic there is no evidence that more condoms lead to less AIDS".
Citing data on condom availability in many African countries, he went on to say: "We are not seeing what we expected - that higher levels of condom availability result in lower HIV prevalence."
Dr Norman Hearst of the University of California in San Francisco supported this analysis with statistics on Kenya, Botswana, and other countries which show an alarming pattern of increased condom sale correlation with rising HIV prevalence by the year.
Those in responsible positions would be wise to inform themselves of the results of medical research so that they can advise people in danger of contracting HIV. - Yours, etc.,
Dr MIRIAM DUGGAN, Gilford Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4.