The ethics of screening for early intervention in HIV disease.

The potential for early medical intervention to slow or prevent the of AIDS in HIV-positive individuals has led to calls for testing of asymptomatic at-risk persons. Levine and Bayer discuss ethical aspects of these proposals, distinguishing among the for screening and evaluating each independently. They present clinical evidence for early intervention and explore its potential and benefits. Using the ethical principles of respect for persons, the principle, beneficience, and justice, they analyze the justifications for the limits of screening infants, adolescents, and adults for HIV. Levine and Bayer conclude that while there are clinical and grounds for establishing voluntary screening programs, conditions of consent and confidentiality must be met, and protection from and provision of follow-up services for infected individuals essential. (KIE abstract)