Anthropology......?

Question

how does AIDS relate to the study of biological anthropology?

Thanks

Answer 1

While anthropology can be defined as the study of culture, it encompasses why humans act the way that they do given a lot of different differences. These include a cultures physical environment, resources available, and the threats and benefits of living in a certain area during a certain time. Biological anthro looks alot at the reproductive aspects of culture and AIDS, normally being caused by the HIV virus directly affects how humans reproduce. Namely, a greater risk to the current population in order to create the next generation.

You can see from this risk how different cultures change to this threat. All cultures will create answers to its causes. Most Western scientific cultures see it as a STD transmitted during intercourse, other cultures may see it as the result of witchcraft, or a specific act performed or not performed (we often see this as superstition).

In terms of Southern Africa, where the AIDS epidemic is most prevalent, the large amount of young adults afflicted with AIDS and HIV runs the risk of changing the entire demographics of the population. Essentially the young working age peoples of the region are predicted (without HIV and AIDS medical care) to die changing the makeup of a culture further changing how people perceive reproduction, etc, etc, etc.

Answer 2

My Human Origins professor mentioned AIDS being related to biological anthropology because of epidimiological reasons. People in the medical field are trying to figure out why certain people develop full blown AIDS and other don't develop it and just remain HIV+. They are trying to figure out if there is a connection similar to the one between malaria and sickle cell anemia. With that situation, people who only carry the sickle cell anemia trait are less suceptible to getting malaria which is why the disease has not been eliminated from the gene pool through natural selection.

Answer 3

Anthropology is the the study of humankind and in the mix has come the HIV virus from primates. I guess that is the connection?

Answer 4

anthropology is the study of humans. AIDS affects humans - thus they are related.

Answer 5

From the Old World to the New World: an ecologic study of population susceptibility to HIV infection

Answer 6

Some people would have the difference between mankind and animals blurred to the point of confusion.