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 remedy for a illness for which no different protected and efficient remedy exists. That’s not the case, nonetheless, when a identified remedy does exist — say after a vaccine has been proven to be protected and efficient and has change into 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 drawback. When you don’t permit placebo trials, how precisely do you certify a vaccine as “protected and efficient”? You can not. Therefore, each positions of the talk have deserves. The true hazard lies with demagogues and idealogues.
Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, Los Angeles
