To the editor: Columnist Michael Hiltzik states, “Testing a vaccine in opposition to a real placebo is moral and correct when it’s the primary therapy for a illness for which no different secure and efficient therapy exists. That’s not the case, nonetheless, when a recognized therapy does exist — say after a vaccine has been proven to be secure and efficient and has turn out to be the usual of care” (“RFK Jr.’s plans for vaccine testing are highly unethical and a danger to your health. Here’s why,” Might 8).
Scientifically, that’s a hen and egg downside. If you happen to don’t permit placebo trials, how precisely do you certify a vaccine as “secure and efficient”? You can not. Therefore, each positions of the talk have deserves. The actual hazard lies with demagogues and idealogues.
Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, Los Angeles
