reflect the incidence of infection in the general population.? [WHO estimates that 20% of adult South Africans have HIV] ?A widespread mystical attitude towards HIV/AIDS gives this disease recognition out of all proportion to its incidence.? ?How can the estimated incidence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa be as high as 20% among adults in the general population, yet as low as 2.3% among incarcerated adults, while the estimated incidence of AIDS in the U.S. among incarcerated individuals is as much as 150 times higher than the incidence in the general population? ?How can a disease, and a disease agent, be acting so completely differently in these populations? Or is South African President Thabo Mbeki correct in doubting the causal relationship between HIV and AIDS?? ?I have never encountered AIDS, but have encountered one or two HIV positive patients, in my broad clinical experience in the US and had never stopped to think why until President Thabo Mbeki questioned establishment dogma. After reviewing the dissident evidence I have concluded that HIV is not an established cause of AIDS for Koch?s postulates had not been fulfilled. Upon reflection of my own experiences and data I have also concluded that AIDS might be no more than a politically inspired ?Wag the dog? media event.? HIV/AIDS: the biggest error? BMJ. 2000 Apr 4. ? Richard Fiddian-Green , BM, BCh, MA. Clinician at U. Mich., Chairman of General Surgery at U. Mass, Chief of surgical services in an inner city VA in New York. Now