Thursday, March 5, 2009

In the Quest For A Vaccine, Malaria Researchers Use Human Guinea Pigs

In a Seattle Times article published last year, Sandi Doughton discusses the plans being made by the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI) to expose volunteers to the deadliest form of malaria in order to help researchers in their quest for a malaria vaccine. Of course, these clinical trials will be done under controlled circumstances and the volunteers lives will not be in danger. The scientists will use a cloned strain of the disease which can be quickly cured and does not cause a recurrence of the disease. The purpose of the SBRI’s first trial will simply be to show that healthy volunteers can be safely and effectively exposed to and cured of malaria. At the start of the trial, half of the volunteers will be exposed to the parasite and half will be given a placebo. All of the volunteers will then be checked into a hotel and closely monitored. As soon as malaria is detected, the infected volunteer will be administered chloroquine, which cures the disease. Surprisingly, this is not the first time malaria has been intentionally exposed to humans for medical research. Many of the malaria drugs used today were developed using human research subjects. The Walter Reed Army Institute has been using human volunteers in malaria studies for over 30 years. Furthermore, Lt. Col. James F. Cummings, M.D., chief of Walter Reed's clinical trials center, is quick to point out that, in the history of the trials, “there have been no deaths or hospitalizations (Doughton, 1).” By conducting trials on humans, medical researchers will be able to quickly see which vaccines don’t work and which ones have potential. At the moment, “SBRI scientists are working on a vaccine that uses genetic engineering to render malaria parasites harmless (Doughton, 1).” In addition, these studies will allow medical researchers to study the body’s immune response to malaria, which could prove to be extremely beneficial in the search for a vaccine. With luck, the SBRI’s studies will lead to the eradication of a disease which has plagued humans for our entire history.

Unfamiliar Terms
Genetic engineering: “the reshuffling of genes usually from one species to another (Steinbrecher)”

I found this article to be very interesting. When I first started reading the article, I thought the idea of exposing humans to a disease as deadly as malaria seemed like a very risky, newly developed process. I had no idea that researchers had already been doing it for over thirty years! However, I can’t help but think that there might still be some risks involved. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable allowing myself to be bit by a malaria-carrying mosquito, no matter what kind of assurances the scientists gave me of my safety. Those who volunteer for these trials do receive compensation (about $2,000-$4,000). However, I feel that most people who will participate in these experiments will be doing it for more than just monetary gain. I think the people who would be willing to infect themselves with this deadly disease are those who are committed to finding a vaccine and saving the lives of millions of people worldwide. The article even points out that Seattle is a great place to be conducting the trials because “of the region's growing reputation as a center of global health programs and charitable enterprises (Doughton, 1).” If I ever summoned the courage to participate in one of these trials and therefore played a role (albeit a very small one) in the discovery of a vaccine, I know I would feel a great deal of pride at having participated in one of the greatest discoveries in history.


Doughton, Sandi. "You Can Get Paid To Catch Malaria." The Seattle Times 5 Mar. 2008. The Seattle Times Company. 5 Mar. 2009 .

Steinbrecher, Ricarda. "What Is Genetic Engineering?" Synthesis/Regeneration: A Magazine of Green Social Thought Winter 1999: 9-12. WEN Trust. 5 Mar. 2009 .

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