Circumcism evidently helps slow down the spread of HIV from women to men during sex, but that isn't the case among gay couples.

While circumcised gay men were 14 percent less likely to be infected with the AIDS virus than uncircumcised men, the difference missed the level needed to show that it wasn't the result of chance - according to the study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"These studies weren't designed to answer this question in the first place, and it's possible that they're too varied to show an effect,'' he said yesterday in a telephone interview. ``The idea makes sense, but there just aren't enough data out there right now to show whether there's a benefit.''

Studies show the best ways to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS is by using condoms and, of couse, by practicing abstinence.