AIDS and the Duesberg Phenomenon

By Clyde Freeman Herreid

Abstract

Renowned virologist and member of the prestigious National Academy of Science, Peter Duesberg has argued that AIDS is not caused by HIV, but is the result of recreational and anti-HIV drugs. In this PBL case, students read Duesberg’s 1999 article in Science magazine titled “HIV is Not the Cause of AIDS” as well as a response to it titled “HIV Causes AIDS” by medical researchers Dr. William A. Blattner and colleagues. Students work in groups to identify the issues as well as any terms or concepts they don’t understand, then research these out of class to pool their information as they learn about AIDS and HIV.

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Date Posted

10/06/1999

Overview

Objectives

To show how the scientific process works.
To learn how to analyze and evaluate scientific arguments.
To learn about HIV and AIDS.

Keywords

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; AIDS; human immunodeficiency virus; HIV; infectious disease; virus; viral infection; Peter Duesberg

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Medicine (General)

Science (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Scientific argumentation, Scientific method, Social issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Debate, Journal Article, Problem-Based Learning

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

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Answer Key

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