MAGGIORE REPLIES
Sept. 2000
Newsweek's report on the growing global movement to rethink AIDS begins
with a sensationalistic statement that is untrue. I do not advise people
to stop drug therapy or forgo condoms. The extensive public record of my
work stands as evidence to the contrary and clearly shows that I
advocate informed choice with regard to HIV testing and treatment.
Prior to raising questions about HIV, I promoted the standard answers as
an awareness educator for prominent AIDS groups. My scrutiny of the
science began when a series of tests I took fluctuated between HIV
positive, negative and indeterminate, and after I noticed that my ill
and dying colleagues were the ones following doctor's orders.
David France's article adopts the position that my natural good health
is a "puzzle" while dismissing as "weird" the carefully considered
choices that keep me and hundreds of other unmedicated HIV positives
defiantly alive and well.
With no cure or vaccine in sight, and more death and toxic drugs on the
horizon, there is just cause for people who care about AIDS to explore
outside the narrow confines of the HIV hypothesis and join our search
for meaningful solutions.
Christine Maggiore
Founder/Director, Alive & Well AIDS Alternatives
Studio City, CA
I am writing in response to David France's article about Christine
Maggiore which incorrectly suggests that Ms. Maggiore acts in defiance
of my medical advice with regard to her son.
As I told Mr. France, Christine is a wonderful mother, her son is
exceptionally bright and healthy, and contrary to the implications in
the article, I stand by the decision about testing. Further, I did not
offer or confirm that Maggiore is nursing as France claims.
Paul M. Fleiss, MD
Los Angeles, CA
To: David France
Re: Substantiation of Claims in HIV Disbeliever Article
August 29, 2000
Dear David,
This is my third request asking for your source for the sub-head in your
article about me (HIV Disbeliever August 28, 2000) that claims I tell
people to stop taking their AIDS medications and forgo the use of
condoms.
I have a five year record of every public event where I've spoken plus a
copy of every article I've written. Being aware as I am of the
controversial nature of my work, I've maintained this record in order to
protect myself from erroneous claims. In no instance do I make the
statements you claim I make about medicine or safe sex in this extensive
and very public record. What I do clearly state, publicly and privately,
is that I think people diagnosed positive should make informed decisions
about AIDS medications.
Again, I ask that you please identify your specific source for the
remarks you made at the beginning of the article, remarks which directly
conflict with my personal beliefs, my public position, and the record of
my work.
I also noticed that in your live chat you took a comment I made in
answer to your questions about 100% compliance with safe sex and turned
this into what appears to be a comment about safe sex in general. I
believe that this use of my answer unfairly portrayed my remarks and
added more fuel to the fire you started by claiming I oppose safe sex
and AIDS treatment.
Your prompt reply with regard to this matter would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Christine Maggiore
cc: David Ansen, Editor, Newsweek
Denis Sheils, Esq., Kohn, Swift and Graf