Initial Results Of HIV Vaccine Trial In China Show It Is Safe, Effective, Government

[Jade4u]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=50373&nfid=rssfeeds

An experimental HIV vaccine given to 49 volunteers in China in a Phase I trial has been shown to be safe, and initial results indicate efficacy in preventing transmission of HIV-1, according to a statement released this month from China's State Food and Drug Administration, Bloomberg News reports. According to the statement, the experimental vaccine was effective among all the participants after it had been administered for 15 days, and none of the participants taking the vaccine showed "ill effects" after 180 days. "Initial trials of this vaccine show that it is clearly effective," the statement said, adding, "However, we need to push forward with more clinical trials in order to make sure that this vaccine can be used widely." According to Bloomberg News, Xinhua News Agency reported that about 300 people could take part in a Phase II trial of the experimental vaccine -- which has been in development since 2003 -- and 500 participants could be involved in Phase III trials. Some researchers have estimated that an effective and safe HIV vaccine will not be available for at least 10 years (Cheng, Bloomberg News, 8/22).

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[Victoria Rose]

I don't understand how they can be sure this vaccine is effective.

Did these 49 people go out and repeatedly expose themselves to HIV and fail to contract it within the anticipated time? Was that part of the volunteer contract?

That's like volunteering to play Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun!

Either way you look at it, I don't think anyone who wasn't already terminally with something would volunteer for that. But how else can you be sure that an HIV vaccine is effective?

 

[Avery]

The Chinese definition of volunteer is probably different from ours. They probably used prisoner "volunteers" the same way they use them to harvest organs for transplantation before they execute them.

 

[OTBn]

The Chinese definition of volunteer is probably different from ours. They probably used prisoner "volunteers" the same way they use them to harvest organs for transplantation before they execute them.

The article, as written, is extremely misleading - it refers to a study, phase 1 of 3 phases... this first phase was principally intended to show no adverse affects to those receiving the vaccine while also showing that it worked well in stimulating the volunteers immune system. Phase 1 is simply testing the safety of the vaccine on volunteers, who were not in high-risk" groups - the later phases will include high-risk participants.

Volunteers were paid 2,000 yuan (250 U.S. dollars) for their participation - a figure set by the Chinese Medicine and Ethnics Society. Volunteers also signed an agreement with the Guangxi Center for Disease Control.

Of course, HIV vaccine testing is ongoing in several countries - any positive results, at any level of testing, are encouraging to show the continued vigor and dedication of researchers.

..... the allegations against China harvesting organs of executed prisoners are ones that purport to the harvesting after execution, not before as is quoted. /hijack

 

[souljacker]

..... the allegations against China harvesting organs of executed prisoners are ones that purport to the harvesting after execution, not before as is quoted. /hijack

I'm totally in favour of harvesting the organs of executed prisoners. That way, not only are we rid of monsters who committed terrible crimes, but they actually give something back to society after their deaths. Of course, I fully realize the long-term implications of this policy... For those who don't, read the ARM stories by Larry Niven (later shoehorned into his Known Space series of books and stories). Basically executed prisoners have all of their organs harvested, and then distributed to law-abiding citizens in need, greatly increasing potential lifespans. Because of this, law-abiding citizens keep voting for more and more crimes to become death-penalty offenses, until you can be executed and have your organs harvested for jaywalking... Such fun!

 

[Victoria Rose]

The Chinese definition of volunteer is probably different from ours. They probably used prisoner "volunteers" the same way they use them to harvest organs for transplantation before they execute them.

OH MY GOD!

I had no idea this happens!

 

[cancowboy2001]

Phase I primarily tests the safety of the vaccine

Caveat for souljacker et al.
Ignore this post if the interjection of fact will interfere in any way with your discussions.

From the HIV Vaccine Testing Network website http://www.hvtn.org/science/phases.html:

A Phase I trial is the first setting where an experimental HIV vaccine is given to people. Such a trial usually enrolls about 20 to 100 HIV-negative volunteers. A Phase I trial primarily seeks information on safety, looking for any vaccine-related side effects. This is done by comparing the vaccine with a control or placebo (an inactive substance, such as normal saline). A Phase I trial can also provide initial data on the dose and administration schedule (the time between vaccinations) that achieve the optimal immune response. Scientists may also be able to analyze results to determine if the vaccine will have an effect against different variations of HIV found around the world. The HVTN's Phase I trials, as well as Phase II and III trials, are randomized and double-blinded. Neither the participant nor the clinician know who has received a vaccine or placebo. A Phase I trial typically lasts 12 to 18 months.

And from their volunteer FAQ:
How will you know if the AIDS vaccine works?
At this early stage of the vaccine trials (called Phase I or Phase II), we are not testing to see if the vaccines protect anyone against HIV and AIDS. We are testing the vaccines to see how the body responds. The clinics send blood tests to the lab to see if your blood can fight HIV after you are vaccinated. The only way to see if the vaccines actually protect against HIV and AIDS is through a Phase III trial.


If they follow the protocol, then there would have been no deliberate exposure to HIV.

 

[souljacker]

If they follow the protocol, then there would have been no deliberate exposure to HIV.

Pfft, I strenuously object to your insistent use of facts to ruin a perfectly good conversation about horrific, yet purely speculative, human rights abuses in the name of science! Way to spoil our fun