Quarantine in the AIDS Epidemic (From The Meaning of AIDS: Implications for Medical Science, Clinical Practice, and Public Health Policy, P 140-151, 1989, Eric T Juengst and Barbara A Koenig, eds. -- NCJ-123590)

• NCJ Number: 123602
• Author(s): T F Murphy
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Moral and practical considerations argue against the general confinement or quarantine of persons with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, those having AIDS virus antibodies, or those at high risk for exposure; exclusions for certain of these persons may be justified in certain circumstances, however.

Abstract

There is no evidence that a quarantine or general confinement of the foregoing classes of persons would effectively halt the spread of AIDS. Even should such a quarantine be logistically possible and achieve some benefit, its cost would make it impractical. From a moral perspective, confinement measures would constitute an intolerable restriction of personal autonomy. These arguments against quarantine, however, do not apply in the case of certain exclusionary actions against particular persons who have demonstrably harmed or wrongfully exposed others to a high degree of risk. Also, certain AIDS-infected persons might be excluded from schools or occupations when there is evidence that their presence or behavior would be directly harmful to others. Exclusion is justified to the extent it is linked with protection from demonstrable, direct, involuntarily incurred harm. 24 notes.