Should it be considered Murder to spread the HIV virus?

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purplesky
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09 Jan 2008, 11:05 am

I believe that spreading the HIV virus should be a crime considered akin to murder. HIV almost always develops into AIDS, thus making it an automatic death sentence. This would result in a greater surge of citizens using condoms and other forms of protection, thus preventing the spread of disease. Seatbelt laws in America resulted in more people wearing it as protection against a possible accident. This in turn resulted in car accident fatalities. If people realize they can have a prison sentence for spreading HIV, they will keep in line. Married men would go to fewer prostitutes as well as other potential carriers of AIDS. Many people in the world need negative repercussions to keep them in line.



monty
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09 Jan 2008, 12:08 pm

It depends on knowledge and intent. If someone knows that they are infected and they conceal this and don't take precautions, it has been treated as a crime (not sure if it is manslaughter or murder or criminal endangerment or whatever).



girl7000
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09 Jan 2008, 1:09 pm

I certainly think that if someone spreads HIV wilfully and knowingly they should be prosecuted.

If someone genuinely doesn't know they have HIV, and has not had any symptoms to indicate it (although the symptoms are not that clear cut anyway!) then I don't see how one could justify saying it is murder or manslaughter.

I guess the solution is either use protection all the time and / or get yourself tested regularly.



LiendaBalla
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09 Jan 2008, 1:12 pm

I think it's a good idea to get tested for any of the sexualy transmitted diseases. Better safe than sorry, after all. I think it should be considered a crime when the person has been tested possitive, knew full well about the virus, and still spread it.

It's not a crime but more an accident when it's unintentional. AIDs can actualy get spread by kissing the infected while their gums are bleeding, from what I heard. oops.



alex
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09 Jan 2008, 1:15 pm

girl7000 wrote:
I certainly think that if someone spreads HIV wilfully and knowingly they should be prosecuted.

If someone genuinely doesn't know they have HIV, and has not had any symptoms to indicate it (although the symptoms are not that clear cut anyway!) then I don't see how one could justify saying it is murder or manslaughter.

I guess the solution is either use protection all the time and / or get yourself tested regularly.


Manslaughter doesn't have to be intentional.

The thing is, you wouldn't be charged unless the person died and if you had the virus first, you're more likely to die from aids first.


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