AIDS - THE FRENCH POLICY AS REFLECTED IN FRENCH LEGISLATION

The laws passed in France since 1983 to respond to the HIV epidemic are reviewed, as well as the recommendations of the main bodies involved, such as the National Advisory Committee on Medical Ethics, the National AIDS Committee, the High Committee on Public Health, the Board of Physicians, and the National Committee on Confidentiality and Computerized Data Banks. The French policy appears to be both coherent and ethically acceptable. Priorities include objective information on the disease, measures aimed at reducing discrimination, and protection of confidentiality. Individuals are encouraged to act responsibly but are left free to make their own decisions. The hope underlying this policy is that a policy aimed at protection of the rights of individuals will ultimately lead to attitudes that will be beneficial to the community.