Research Ethics & Policy Series (REPS): "Intentionally Infecting Humans: is it Ethical?" - Seema Shah, JD, HEC-C

Intentionally Infecting Humans: Is it Ethical?

Seema Shah, JD, HEC-C

Founder’s Board Professor of Medical Ethics
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Lurie Children’s Hospital

In controlled human infection (CHI) research, researchers intentionally expose people to pathogens to gain powerful scientific insights. CHI research has led to key breakthroughs but remains controversial. In this talk, Prof. Shah will first provide a brief historical overview of this research, demonstrating how ethically problematic research from the past still casts a shadow on research today. She will then explain modern CHI research, demonstrating how a fundamental lack of understanding of this research contributed to ethical controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic that has persisted. Finally, Prof. Shah will provide an ethical framework to govern the appropriate use of this research going forward, with implications for research ethics oversight more generally.

Registration required; Lunch provided
Streaming available via Zoom.