One Disease-Two Epidemics: Aids at 25. New England Journal of Medicine

In the course of a discussion about the different challenges facing developed and developing countries in dealing with the AIDS epidemic, the author brings up the studies showing reduced HIV infections among circumcised men.

" The effect of male circumcision on HIV transmission remains controversial, despite a report from South Africa, where more than 3000 men were randomly assigned to undergo either circumcision or observation.5 The trial was stopped early because of a 61 percent reduction in the rate of new infections in the circumcision group that persisted after researchers had controlled for differences in sexual behavior, condom use, and health care–seeking behavior. The response to this study, however, remains wary and even dismissive, a hesitance that seems misplaced, given the role of HIV in forcing frank discussions of sexual activity."

In other words, whether or not men used condoms, there was a reduction in HIV infections in the circumcised men.

IMHO, parents who are considering circumcisions for their sons might want to give this some thought.