WHO slams US-funded newborn vaccine trial as "unethical"
Ars Technica
by
Beth Mole
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly condemned a US-funded vaccine trial conducted in Guinea-Bissau as "unethical" due to its practice of withholding an established, safe, and potentially life-saving hepatitis B vaccine from newborns. The trial, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with $1.6 million, sparked widespread criticism from health experts after being publicly disclosed in December. The study aims to test the effectiveness of delaying the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, despite it being a widely accepted and proven intervention.
WHO highlighted that the trial violates ethical principles by depriving vulnerable newborns of a known beneficial treatment. In its formal statement, the organization listed several reasons why the trial is both harmful and scientifically flawed, emphasizing that such research should not be conducted on human subjects without clear evidence of benefit. The controversy has further intensified due to concerns over the involvement of anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who currently heads the CDC, raising questions about the motivations behind the funding decision.
This issue holds significant implications for readers interested in tech and science, particularly in the context of clinical trial ethics and public health policy. The debate underscores the importance of ensuring that medical research prioritizes human welfare and adheres to rigorous ethical standards. Such controversies also raise broader concerns about trust in scientific innovation and the potential long-term impacts on global health initiatives.
The case highlights the delicate balance between advancing medical knowledge and safeguarding established practices proven to save lives. As public interest in vaccine safety grows, particularly in the context of ongoing debates around technology and medicine, this trial serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical dilemmas surrounding clinical research.
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/13/2026