Date: Thu, 13 Oct 1994 16:45:10 -0700 (46 lines)
From: philjohn@garnet.berkeley.edu (Phillip Johnson)
Message-Id: <199410132345.QAA09287@garnet.berkeley.edu>
To: rethinkaids@uclink.berkeley.edu


A Statement from the Group for the Scientific Reappraisal of the
HIV/AIDS Hypothesis

Some of you may have received advertisements from a source 
that purports to represent the Group for the Scientific 
Reappraisal of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis, and the newsletter
"Rethinking AIDS."  These advertisements promote sale of
various materials by Peter Duesberg and other members of the
group, particularly including a book -- "Why We Will Never Win the
War on AIDS" -- purportedly by Bryan Ellison and Peter Duesberg.

The latest advertisement in particular is irrational on its face,
citing without explanation efforts by Duesberg himself, named
in the advertisement as the senior author, to stop the publication
of the book he supposedly co-authored.  Many people are confused by
these curious advertisements, and have asked the Group to explain.

Until recently, Bryan Ellison was Peter Duesberg's graduate assistant.
In that capacity he was writing a book on the HIV/AIDS controversy,
co-authored by Duesberg, under contract with St. Martin's Press.  The
Press asked for alterations in the manuscript. The Press wanted
clarification of some points, documentation of others, and elimination
of some statements that might be considered unfair to individuals.
Duesberg was very willing to cooperate, but Ellison refused to deal 
with St. Martin's and unilaterally published the manuscript privately 
without Duesberg's consent-- and with Duesberg's name on it as
co-author.  Duesberg is seeking an injunction against this 
unauthorized publication.

Neither the unauthorized manuscript publication nor the advertisements
has any connection with the Group for the Scientific Reappraisal
of the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis.  All members of the Group have repudiated
the advertisements, and have ceased to have any connection with Bryan
Ellison or with James Trabulse, the former publisher of the Rethinking
AIDS newsletter, who seems to be working with Ellison.  The Group will
soon commence publishing its own newsletter, titled "Reappraising AIDS,"
taking this new name to stress the lack of connection with the 
unauthorized publication.