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Abandoned in the Middle of Clinical Trials, Because of a Trump Order

Summary

A Trump administration executive order freezing all foreign aid has led to the abrupt shutdown of U.S.A.I.D.-funded clinical trials worldwide, leaving thousands of participants with experimental drugs and devices in their bodies and no access to follow-up care. The order has halted research on HIV prevention, malaria treatment, tuberculosis therapies, and maternal health programs across multiple countries. Scientists are faced with ethical dilemmas, as the Declaration of Helsinki mandates continued care for participants, but the stop-work order prohibits them from providing it. The dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has erased public records of ongoing studies, further complicating accountability. Experts warn that the decision not only endangers trial volunteers but also threatens trust in global health research, with potential long-term consequences for medical innovation and disease control efforts.

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