mSphere (Aug 2020)

Human Infection Challenge Studies: a Test for the Social Value Criterion of Research Ethics

  • Nicholas G. Evans

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00669-20
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 4

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Human infection challenge studies involving the intentional infection of research participants with a disease-causing agent have recently been suggested as a means to speed up the search for a vaccine for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Calls for challenge studies, however, rely on the expected social value of these studies. This value represents more than the simple possibility that a successful study will lead to the rapid development and dissemination of vaccines but also some expectation that this will actually occur. I show how this expectation may not be realistic in the current political moment and offer potential ways to make sure that any challenge trials that arise actually achieve their goals.

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