CIRCUMCISION protects men against HIV. In fact, the first randomised study of the link between catching the virus and foreskin removal showed such a strong effect that it was stopped early so that all participants could be offered the operation.
Previous studies have shown that circumcised men are up to 7 times less likely to contract HIV (New Scientist, 3 April 2004, p 15). But it was impossible to tell whether this was due to the operation or to cultural factors.
To rule out behavioural effects, researchers led by Bertran Auvert of the French National Institute of Health and…
