What is your view on 'bug chasing'?

This may be a controversial question, but i'm just wondering what is your view on 'bug chasers' (gay men who actively seek to contract HIV), 'bug chasing' (the act of seeking to become infected with HIV), and 'gift givers' (HIV positive gay men who willingly infect 'bug chasers')?
I've seen documentaries on the subject, it seems to be that the men are choosing to contract HIV on purpose so that they are in control. They feel that they will contract it because of their lifestyle anyway, so by choosing when they contract it they feel they are in control of it - instead of it in control of them.
Personally, I don't know why anyone would choose to become infected on purpose - what is your view?

Thank you for your answer souldogs, no this doctor didn't have any bearing on them. These documentaries featured 'bug chasers', a few gay men allowed a film crew to film them for a few days (kind of a 'fly on the wall' programme). During these few days they spoke to the film crew about why they want to become infected, and also showed some online sites where they can arrange to meet up with HIV positive gay men who were willing to give them the 'gift'.
The crew also spoke to HIV positive men who had contracted the disease this way, and about how their lives have been since then.
So, no this doctor had nothing to do with it - it featured real people.

I'll probably be the only person who answers this question who will say I can kind of understand the bug chasing. Not personally, because I am interested in staying as healthy as possible my entire life, but, sort of, well, I guess as a free choice thing. And I've heard it described as a fetish, but the way you're explaining it sounds more like control than sexuality.

Ultimately, I think it is probably very, very few people who do this and it is interesting to us because it is SO bizarre and antithetical to our way of life. But, you know, it's their choice. I don't think it's healthy, but lots of people don't live healthy lifestyles and they can't be forced to change, they just choose to do this. So....

they must be insane

That is awful.To catch HIV is terrible in itself but to purposely give it to someone and make them suffer is pure evil.

I agree- i can't understand why you would want to become infected either. i mean its not like something that you can do something about after, its a death sentence. bizarre...

To me I feel that is so unnecessary. Gay or not trying to get it is crazy. That's like me saying well i know I'm going to die so why not just do it myself so i can be in control.. I didn't even know this existed..how bizarre.

people are crazy.I relize that condoms are not fool proof but no one should want to get infected.

It's possible that the makers of the documentaries took one or two rare cases and sensationalized them to get attention for their films. I find it hard to believe that this is widely practiced.

The wave of interest in "bug chasing" began with an article in Rolliing Stone magazine.

Here's a critique that alleges the RS story was sensationalized to sell magazines:

http://www.thebody.com/content/art32304....

According to the Rolling Stone article, "a mind-boggling 25 percent of new gay male HIV infections are due to bug chasing." That astonishing statistic is based on one doctor's completely unsubstantiated estimate. That doctor, Bob Cabaj, is a psychiatrist and Director of Behavioral Health Services for San Francisco County. Within days of publication, Cabaj denied giving Freeman the 25 percent figure. Admitting he has conducted no studies on the matter and has no hard data, Cabaj told Newsweek, "That's totally false. I never said that." Is there a study to support that 25 percent figure? Nope.

It gets worse. Dr. Marshall Forstein of Boston, quoted by Freeman as saying that "bug chasers are seen regularly in the Fenway health system, and the phenomenon is growing," declares the quote "is entirely a fabrication." Forstein reports he actually told Freeman, "We have seen a few cases, but we have no idea how common this is." Who do we believe? Conveniently, Freeman did not tape his conversations with the doctors, suggesting maybe his memory and his notes aren't as specific as he'd like the general public to believe.

Gregory Freeman wrote the RS article. I'd like to know whether Freeman had any credit on these documentaries you say you've seen, but do not name.

thanks for the response.

It is a "giving up" attitude and a testament to the hopelessness those who are HIV positive and those around them feel. The reality is there are couples who have spent years together with one being positive and the other negative and the virus not being passed.
There is no reason to just give up and not protect oneself.

I can't judge each person because I'm not walking in their shoes but I have known many HIV positive people and they certainly do not have this depressing attitude to life. All the people I know and have known understand how precious life is and that it is for living.

In last 2/3 years someone in England was tried and convicted by the law courts for passing HIV onto his partner at the same time knowing that he had HIV,having HIV has now ruined his partners life and this is why she charged him for knowingly,and willingly passing on the disease to her.I believe it was classed as a criminal act.and may now be classed as such in the courts of UK.dont know what sentence he got