Yellowknife (Feb 25/05) - A war of words erupted in the legislative assembly Tuesday after an MLA questioned the government's logic for adopting a new name for sexually transmitted diseases.

Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee told Health and Social Services Minister Michael Miltenberger that it doesn't make any sense to change the wording in literature used to educate people on the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as they are now called.

"It's like changing Coca-Cola - a very well known brand name," said Lee. "I tell you this has been a topic of conversation, and everyone has asked what is an STI and why aren't we calling it STD?"

Miltenberger said he didn't want to get into an argument over semantics. He said the name change was urged by health professionals from across the country, although he didn't say why. "The entire name hasn't changed any more than if you just went from Coca-Cola to Coca Pepsi or whatever," said Miltenberger. "The key piece is the ST."

Lee asked him if he would ensure the government would consult the public on the name change.

Miltenberger said he would, along with all levels of government.

Here's how the Public Health Agency explains the name change away from STD:

"The term STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) is now commonly used in the place of STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). STI is more encompassing, including infections that may be asymptomatic."