AIDS trial subjects react to news
Those involved in a study with a potential AIDS vaccine made by Merck were told that the study was being halted because of indications that the vaccine did not protect against HIV infection--in fact, it seems to have increased the likelihood. In South Africa's testing, which had just gotten underway, the decision was made to unblind the study so participants would know whether they received the vaccine or a placebo. That decision hasn't been made yet here in the US (most of the participants were in the Seattle area), as scientists weigh the greater good of the participants against the loss of data and the fact that any damage to the data would make what happened be for naught.
It's a terrible step backward in the fight against AIDS, and it underscores the perils of medical research as well as the potential it has.
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