Ethics of the HIV/AIDS Response

Since HIV came to China in the mid-1980s, many ethical issues have challenged Chinese public health workers, officials, and policymakers. This chapter reviews many of the controversies, dilemmas, and other ethical issues related to the HIV/AIDS response in China, as well as HIV/AIDS research. Specifically, ethical issues surrounding harm reduction measures (i.e. condom promotion, needle exchange, and methadone treatment), HIV testing formats (i.e. anonymous testing, active testing, mandatory testing), disclosure of HIV status, and antiretroviral therapy (ART; i.e. methods and funding) are discussed. Finally, ethical concerns regarding HIV research (i.e. protection of human subjects, responsible conduct of research) are described, and means of addressing those concerns are discussed. These ethical issues and others have been complex and difficult to navigate. However, the Chinese Central Government, as well as leading public health and research institutions have shown increasing commitment to the careful and thoughtful analysis of these problems, debate and discussion of all viewpoints, and development of policies, regulations, and guidelines that focus on the well-being of all peoples.