In this paper, Ethics of HIV testing in general practice without informed consent, Fraser argues that pretest counselling and informed consent are pillars of ethical conduct of HIV testing. In my response I want to look critically at these contentions. While I will agree with Fraser that it is always necessary to get informed consent from a patient for HIV test I will argue that an emphasis on pretest counselling as a prerequisite for testing can actually undermine a patient's autonomy, the very principle that informed consent seeks to promote.
