Infectious Disease Blog

How far would you go to earn $4,000?

Some people in the Seattle area may go so far as to become infected with malaria.

The Seattle Biomedical Research Institute will pay volunteers up to $4,000 to be bitten by mosquitoes infected with malaria, according to the Seattle Times.

Scientists pointed out that the trials will not be life-threatening, as the malaria strain used in the study can be quickly cured. The purpose of the trials will be to test which malaria vaccines work fastest.

Dr. Patrick Duffy, head of SBRI’s malaria research programs, told the Seattle Times:

“It’s really important for people to understand how well-controlled this process is. The disease follows a predictable course, and it’s treated very early — as soon as parasites show up in the blood.”

Bloggers and forums have picked up on this story and generated quite an online discussion. There’s been a decent response on Current TV. While some people want to sign up, others were skeptical.

The blogger of The Good Human definitely wouldn’t do it:

“I think this shows that some medical studies are going a little too far, but if you want to participate, there is a study taking place up in Seattle that will pay you $4,000 to be infected with malaria. Yikes. Personally, no amount of money is worth jeopardizing my health, even if they claim it is “controlled”. Allow myself to be bitten by an infected mosquito? No thanks…”

What do you think? Would you get infected with malaria for money?

Developing vaccination will help reduce malaria killing millions in certain countries. I do not think it is essential to infect people living in USA to test this vaccination.

I am sure some countries with high malaria infections will be happy to allow such trials.

Pernicious Attire (PA) is an attempt to spread awareness of existing and emerging infectious diseases around the world through fashion.

The idea to design these shirts was borne from an emerging infectious disease lecture during a Fall 2007 general biology course.