After a multitude of studies have found circumcision can reduce HIV infection by almost half in heterosexual men, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is strongly considering making a national health recommendation that all newborn boys be circumcised. Research, largely conducted in Africa where circumcision is rare, indicated the cells which makeup the foreskin of uncircumcised men are highly susceptible to the HIV retrovirus, which greatly enhances the likelihood of HIV transmission and infection from female body fluids during sexual intercourse. While the recommendation is important, the research has not been replicated in gay and bisexual men, who continue to comprise the largest group of Americans who are infected or who are becoming infected with HIV.
