Exclusive: scientists say such tests are ethical and could shorten pandemic
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Fifteen Nobel laureates are among the prominent scientists calling on the UK government to support trials in which healthy volunteers are deliberately infected with Covid-19 to accelerate vaccine development.
Writing in an open letter to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, the experts said the benefits of “human challenge trials” far outweighed the risks, in line with World Health Organization guidance that has concluded such trials are ethical as long as volunteers are young and healthy, informed consent is procured, high-quality medical care is on hand, and thorough ethical and scientific review is championed.
