The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other manifestations of infection with the human T celllymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) have, in the past five years, become a major challenge and concern to the medical profession, public health authorities, and the public at large. This position paper sets forth principles for dealing with many aspects of this disease. The foundation of this paper is the provision of competent and humane care to all patients critically ill with AIDS and AIDS-related conditions. Policies on the education of patients, health care workers, and leaders at all levels of society regarding HTLV-III infection are enunciated. Guidelines for nondiscriminatory antibody screening and policies against the quarantining of HTLV-III-infected persons are included. The paper delineates the moral and ethical responsibilities of physicians to protect, in a manner consistent with protection of the public health, the confidentiality of these patients, and physicians are urged to take a leading role in public education to help reduce transmission of the virus.