Today's "microwave generation'' used to getting what they want fast should beware -- they may get death.

The blunt warning was delivered yesterday by New York AIDS expert Mrs. Debra Fraser-Howze.

"It is time to act,'' she told more than 100 Bermudian teenagers.

Mrs. Fraser-Howze said young people today were part of the "microwave generation''.

She spelled out the dangers facing those who sought to satisfy sexual desires instantly.

"People want immediate gratification -- but what you get might kill you.'' Mrs. Fraser-Howze is executive director of the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA).

She is also chairperson of the New York Mayor's Council on AIDS.

The mother-of-four spoke to schoolchildren at the Bermuda Industrial Union yesterday as part of World AIDS Day 1993.

Youngsters, aged 14-19, from Mount St. Agnes, Berkeley Institute, and the Adult Education School were present.

Mrs. Fraser-Howze said she had been dazzled by the beauty of Bermuda's young.

"You are the most beautiful children in the world,'' she said.

But AIDS imperilled all of them. Society had a responsibility to warn its children, and ensure they fulfilled their potential.

Children were living in unprecedented times, and life's rules had changed dramatically.

Mrs. Fraser-Howze said adults should accept blame for the legacy they were leaving.

"Adults must apologise to you for the conditions of the world we will leave you.'' That legacy included war, racial unrest, economic inequity, diminishing natural resources, and diseases such as AIDS.

There was, however, something which united people -- love for children.

Mrs. Fraser-Howze said she had been very impressed with the amount of knowledge on AIDS displayed by the Bermudian teenagers.

"It is time to act. Time to put that knowledge into practice.'' Mrs. Fraser-Howze described how HIV -- the virus which leads to AIDS -- attacked the body.

"We are dealing with one of the most intelligent viruses known to man,'' she warned.

She urged youngsters to make a stand for themselves -- and not been swayed by peer pressure into having sex.

They should put off sex until it was absolutely necessary to have it.

It was time to get "real serious'' about the disease which was attacking teenagers with such vengeance.

Mrs. Fraser-Howze encouraged youngsters to stand up and chant "I am somebody, be myself'', "I will win the war'', "I will be the best I can be'', "I will rule the world''.