Have you ever fell innocently into the stop-and-search arm of the law?  Well never mind name and address, imagine having to give up your blood to prove you are not HIV positive. 

Random blood tests on border-crossing travellers are becoming an ever-more current process in China as they strive on to prevent the disease from spreading. In fact, the number of check-ups this year has already leaped to an astounding 756,000, a considerable increase from last year’s 65,900. And how to they choose: from spotting the symptoms, which for HIV can be anything from loss of hair to excessive yawning (so you know best not to have jet-lag).

Is this another violation of human rights (like getting stopped by the feds for wearing your hood up), or is it sufficient protection of China’s welfare?

We hit the streets and asked our people would they be pissed or smile, comply and say thank you, if chosen for a compulsory random blood test. Then knowing the severity of the HIV issue in China, we asked them to guess how many check-ups have been carried out in 2008 in comparison with the 65,000 figure. Finally Ctrl.Alt.Shift put the government in their hands and asked for a solution to the golden question: Just how do you stop the spread of HIV?

Abdi, 16:
“Taking random blood tests? I wouldn’t mind you know, it seems fair. I think that the figure in China probably doubled to like maybe 130,000 in 2008. And if I was in government I’d probably do the same thing. I think it’s great, it’s a good thing to do as you know exactly who has it and you can keep a record of them.”

Marie, 17:
“No that’s just wrong. It’s something personal you know - blood is something you don’t give away nilly-willy. I’m guessing the number of random blood tests in China jumped to about 80,000 this year. As for a solution, well I think kids need to be more educated about contraception.  Sex-ed needs to be less taboo to talk about. Parents, teachers and the kids need to be able to discuss it easily. Maybe that will help stop spread HIV.”

Michael, 17:
“I think it’s a good thing, although I personally would feel discriminated against if they asked me. I would say the random blood tests probably doubled this year to about 130,000, but I think its good that it’s increasing because it shows that they are tackling these problems. It’s hard to find a solution, but raising the awareness of these diseases would help and also educating people who have contracted HIV, giving them help in dealing with their illness.”

Emma, 22:
“I don’t see why taking blood would be a problem, it seems fair to be honest. I wouldn’t mind if I was asked, but then I can see how some people might not agree with it as their blood could fall into the wrong hands. I don’t have a clue how many tests were carried out in 2007, maybe 80,000. I think sex education at an early age would help the problem, the promotion of condoms as well, also telling women to be more aware because men will say anything to get you in bed!”

James, 25:
“This China situation seems like just another infringement on our human rights. It shocks me, but I’m not surprised, it seems to fit in with the way the worlds going. 1984 springs to mind, and to think about it I’m surprised they don’t do random blood tests in Britain! If it was 65,000 in 2007 I wouldn’t be surprised if the figure jumped to about 1 million or more. Give someone the power to do that and they love to exploit it, just look at stop and search over here. Finding out an effective solution to the spread of HIV is difficult, what can you do? Often it’s down to the individual so awareness and education seem to be the way forward.”

Christy, 20:
“I don’t agree with the situation at all, it’s pretty sick and takes away your human rights, although China are above all that aren’t they? I’d say the random blood tests at least doubled, perhaps 140,000 although it could be more. One of the only ways to prevent or limit the spread of diseases like HIV is contraception, then I’d say education, along with investment into an effective cure.”

Words: Dwain Lucktung and Ben Anderson.

Photo: Flickr user kaylarjones