Ethical challenges threaten vital research on ART and HIV transmission

HPTN 052 is now widely known for the headline figure of 96% placed on the benefit of ART in reducing HIV transmission within sero-discordant couples.  The same trial simultaneously assessed the benefits of immediate ART initiation (at the CD4 count <550 cells/mm3 required for trial entry) against delayed initiation at <250 cells/mm3.  Less well known, […]

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The records of the US syphilis experiments in Guatemala: read them yourself!

Now open to public access: the documents at the heart of last October’s scandal over unethical experiments by US researchers in Guatemala.  In 1946-48, the US team, seeking an opportunity to study the effectiveness of penicillin against syphilis and gonorrhoea, conducted experiments involving the deliberate exposure to those diseases of 700 Guatemalan soldiers, mental health […]

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