Steven Ransom has spent ten years of his life arguing the HIV virus does not lead to Aids.

Mr Ransom, 40, an investigative journalist and mental health worker from Maresfield and his co-writer Phillip Day, have just published World Without Aids.

South African president Thabo Mbeki, who has caused outrage with his questioning of medical orthodoxy on the subject at the World Aids Conference in Durban, South Africa, has personally requested a copy.

They argue no one has ever come forward and shown the HIV virus exists under a microscope, despite the billion-dollar industry to find a vaccine.

Instead, people die of a combination of factors which attack their immune system. In the West it is a cocktail of hard drugs, sexual diseases, a poor diet and immuno-suppressant antibiotics.

In the developing world people die of tuberculosis, malnutrition, poor water supplies and sanitation.

They write: "Aids is big business, and any attempt to shed light on the lies of this deceitful and self-serving industry is met with fierce opposition, and all attempts necessary are made to avert the penetrating gaze of truth.

"Today, the facts clearly demonstrate that it is the choice of a toxic lifestyle coupled with the wholly misguided pressure to submit to inaccurate blood tests and the subsequent effects of ravaging 'anti-viral' drugs, that produce the phenomenon known as Aids in the western world."

In addition they argue the drugs used to boost the immune system are so toxic people actually die from the effects of the drug and people who have stopped taking them have led a healthy and happy life from then on.

Steve said: "The aim is that people are given the opportunity to read the book and, as a result, their lives are saved and our understanding of Aids and HIV is changed for good.

"When we realised the extent of the deception involved in the Aids industry we decided to alert the public to a whole other side of the Aids debate.

"I hope it brings about a true understanding of what's going on. I hope it saves lives in Africa and the West.

"I hope it will re-educate people regarding the current gross misunderstanding of Aids and HIV that have been media and pharmaceutically-inspired.

"I would hope the book prompts more people to seriously question the medical establishment and say 'prove HIV exists'."

He is also concerned that all pregnant women in East Sussex and Brighton are to be offered screening for HIV.

He said the test was so unreliable that women who have just had the 'flu jab could be diagnosed HIV positive and suffer the trauma and illness associated with the diagnosis.

He said: "The test to determine who is HIV is a very wobbly mechanism as 60 conditions can give the positive reading."

The book gives several case studies of people who have stopped taking the Aids drug AZT and have regained their health.

He said: "It's the drugs that are killing people with HIV, not the virus. When people stop taking the drugs they get better."

The book ends: "So, for those 'diagnosed with Aids', 'HIV' or for those suffering the now myriad health disorders associated with slow, long-term poisoning, let the battle cry be: 'Let's clean up our lives!'

"Seek the help you need to deal with the drugs and the lifestyle problems.

Forget political correctness. Take a critical look at your lifestyle.

"Being sensible about your lifestyle doesn't mean you have to take the fun out of life. Just be smart. And live."

Steve's view is not easily accepted by the medical establishment and President Mbeki has been publicly rebuked for his dissenting views.

Paul Martin, senior health promotion advisor for gay men's sexual health at East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, said: "There is a very small number of people around the world who believe HIV doesn't lead to Aids.

"They say people are dying from a range of other illnesses and causes and that the pharmaceutical and medical industries are keeping everything hidden on purpose. They are missing the point. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence in the 18 years since we have known about HIV, that their arguments are just not valid. There are people who have been HIV positive who have not gone on and developed Aids and died, but that is a small group of people."

"The vast majority of people with HIV go on to develop Aids. Millions and millions of people around the world who are HIV positive will go on to develop Aids, particularly if they don't have access to treatment."

"I think the points they make about illness in general being much more serious is valid. A person living in the slums of Calcutta with no access to clean water having to take 20 pills before lunch is just ridiculous. You need a basic level of health care in place before people start thinking about going on anti-HIV drugs."

"I think there are some valid points these people are making, but the fundamental suggestion that HIV doesn't exist or cause Aids is an extreme minority viewpoint."

Nearly 5,000 scientists from 80 countries, including 12 Nobel prize winners, have signed a declaration reaffirming their belief that HIV causes Aids.

You can order a copy of the book priced £12.50 from Waterstones or visit the book's website at www.worldwithoutaids.org.