en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/687265 Comments by KOTFrank http://www.peripheries.org/2009/10/14/size-and-religion-matter-for-hiv-prevention/#IDComment38888995 The demonstrated benefit (as yet only a known short term benefit) has no known reason at to why, only conjecture. This is not science at its best. And is called "The Pony Express" & "Cargo Cult Science". They demonize the penis and introduce colonial memes to a scared people. The African circumcision studies authors offer up the Langerhans cells in the mucosa as the entry points of HIV infection when in absolute scientific fact Langerhans cell secrete Langerin which has been shown to immobilize and kill HIV. In this Rakai study, they left only 1 cm = 3/8 inch residual mucoas, this is greatly less than the typical US circumcision of 1/2 -1 inch mucosal remnant cuff. This leaves even less feeling than American circumcisions. It is a scientific fact that US circumcisions cut off 65% - 85% (with frenulum removal) of the sexual receptors. (Taylor's The Frenulum Delta and it's loss to circumcision) And still, this report would have all of the mucosa removed. A cut known in the US as the "Marine Cut" that leaves absolutely only 15% of the sexual receptors at the glands corona embedded in mucosa that has hardly any fine touch receptors that are found in abundance in the shaft mucosa. The glands is the least sensitive of all, detecting mostly hot and cold. (Sorrells et al.) If the study author were truly bent on removing mucosa then the glans mucosa should also be removed. After all, even with all the sexual receptors removed, erection is still possible and so is masturbation and intercourse. It just takes a lot of mindful effort to orgasm, a lot more work than fun. (as told by a botched circumcised blogger) Bottom line here then is of course it will reduce HIV infection along with other STDs and pregnancies. By mindful that circumcision has also been used in eugenics and for reason. Thanks for stating my thoughts connecting the Pope saying condoms will increase HIV infection and it's dangerous thought played out in Africa. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:09:32 +0000 http://www.peripheries.org/2009/10/14/size-and-religion-matter-for-hiv-prevention/#IDComment38888995