Some Ethical Issues of AIDS in China

Abstract

"This essay is an overview on some ethical issues about the AIDS epidemic in China. The first case of AIDS in China had been reported in June 1985 (1). From then to the end of 1994, about 1775 HIV infected persons had been reported (2). But some experts (M. Merson, WHO/GPA) have assessed that the true number of HIV positive persons is about 5,000-10,000 (3). The pattern of infection in China is that the primary population group affected are intravenous drug users located in the Yun Nan province (about 80%). The population groups affected are foreigners and people who came back from foreign countries. Sexual transmission is responsible for only a small percentage of cases, but is increasing rapidly."