Mandatory HIV Tests In New Jersey

New Jersey would become the first state to require both pregnant women and newborns to be tested for
HIV under a proposal introduced by the Senate president.

The bill would require all pregnant women be tested for HIV twice, once early in the pregnancy and a second time in the third trimester. Every birthing facility in the state would have to test all newborns in their care.

Senate President Richard J. Codey introduced the legislation on Thursday, which he described as a "no brainer." The Associated Press first reported on Codey's plan in March.

A no-brainer? Well, if you are a mindless drone from the state of New Jersey, maybe so, but for the rest of us, not so much.

We all know that the key to survival with HIV is early detection, there is no doubt about that. But there are a million ways to promote HIV/AIDS education without resorting to mandatory government ordered testing of our citizens.

Do we really need to start adopting laws that impose specific medical tests upon our persons at the whim of the government?

Sure, go ahead, tell me about all the lives it will save. Tell me how beneficial it will be to have one central government run database with all of the statewide HIV tests available with the click of a mouse. I can't wait to hear the argument about how much we need the government to take care of us. Come on, I am waiting.

Of course, while I wait, I might suggest you also require mandatory genetic screening for any number of conditions that might occur over the lifespan of the child. You wouldn't want the child to develop a cancer or heart disease would you? While you're at it, you might want to require a psychological evaluation too. We wouldn't want this child to grow up and become some sort of deranged lunatic hell bent on destruction. Oh! And don't forget the mandatory colonoscopy for all potential fathers. We wouldn't want that child to grow up without a father. Come on now, bend over daddy.

While it may make you feel warm and fuzzy that the government is looking out for your best interests, I on the other hand do not welcome that intrusion into my life.

Oh, there you go again, telling me how much these mandatory tests are going to help the community. Why don't you stop and look at the bigger picture. Should the government be making your medical decisions for you? Should you be forced to submit to medical tests because the government thinks it may help you? Once you allow the government to control your medical decisions, they'll never allow you to choose otherwise.