Many academics argue that the AIDS-related debates are hackneyed, that the area has been oversubscribed and that most AIDS research merely reinvents the wheel. I disagree. The energy which continues to be dedicated to the area is invaluable not only in terms of the theoretical and preventive terrain which is still to be covered, but with regard to the future transfer of knowledge to other areas of health risk research. Fife-Shaw's commentary contributes to the vitality of the debate.