A human challenge trial took place at the University of Maryland, where 26-year-old Alexander Laurenson and others were intentionally exposed to malaria-infected mosquitoes to test a new monoclonal antibody. This approach has historically contributed to vaccine development for diseases like typhoid but is controversial due to perceived ethical risks and costs. Critics question the morality of knowingly exposing volunteers to pathogens, raising concerns about the Hippocratic oath and volunteer safety, despite assurances of effective recovery measures for participants.
As requested, he had not showered the night before to make his skin more attractive to the pests, which are drawn to body odor.
The mosquitoes, for their part, had been infected with malaria, a disease that kills over 600,000 people every year.
Because of the perceived risk involved, and their significant cost, challenge trials remain rare and, in some cases, controversial.
A lot of people say, Doesn't this violate the Hippocratic oath? or How can a doctor do this? said Seema K. Shah.
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