Christopher J. Portelli

In July 1996, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale and use of home test kits to determine HIV status. In the following viewpoint, which was written prior to the approval of the kits, Christopher J. Portelli contends that the risks associated with home HIV tests outweigh the benefits. He argues that delivering test results by telephone is unethical and that phone counseling does not provide adequate support for people who test positive for HIV. Furthermore, he maintains that some people may be coerced or forced to take the test, which would violate their right to privacy. Portelli is the executive director of the National Lesbian and Gay Health Association in Washington, D.C.

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1. In the author’s opinion, why is it inappropriate to compare...