[Biomedicalization and responses to aids in Brazil: research notes]

This text addresses the process of biomedicalization in the responses to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (aids), based on field research in Rio de Janeiro and document and literature reviews. Considering the socio-anthropological perspective and social studies of science, the current predominance of preventative biomedical strategies implies both reconfigurations of the scientific and institutional order and interventions in health and sexuality. These transformations reveal an established definition of the epidemic as a clinical problem, reconfiguration of debates on sexuality and stigma, and erasure of the discussion on structural inequalities and human rights, and new studies on HIV/aids within social sciences and humanities are needed.