Chino Wilson's (column, Feb. 2) concerning the spread and prevalence of AIDS in the United States is misinformed and perpetuates unfortunate misconceptions concerning the HIV virus.

Mr. Wilson's assertion "that the government -- fed up with the amount of political power African-Americans were gaining and fearful of a black revolution -- called for the creation of a virus that would wipe out the entire race," is illogical and contrary to reality.

The HIV virus, according to epidemiologists around the globe, has been in existence since the 1950s. Since genetic engineering had not yet been invented, there is no plausible argument possible claiming "the government paid geneticists vast amounts of money to create the second coming of the plague."

Mr. Wilson's reference to the plague belies the fact that killer epidemics can just "pop up." The Bubonic plague, smallpox, polio, measles, malaria, influenza and HIV seemingly came from nowhere to ravage humanity. One needs only to read basic biological theory to know the factual origins of these infections.

But the real tragedy of Mr. Wilson's tirade is the claim that HIV is somehow a virus that exclusively affects African Americans. He ignores the over 80,000 full-blown cases of HIV among non-African Americans.

His statement that the incidence of HIV among gays has slowed is true, but he ignores the real contribution a concerted education program has made to this end -- an effort supported by a broad spectrum of ethnic groups.

Hopefully, in the future, the Collegian will edit for facts. Otherwise, opinion statements such as Chino Wilson's will abuse the truth and play upon people's real fears, in an effort to advance propaganda.