Report: Anthrax vaccine tests on IDF troops were conducted unethically

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The testing of a trial vaccine for Anthrax conducted on IDF soldiers several years ago were managed unethically, according a report approved for release by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The report, compiled by an official medical committee, claimed that the method used to recruit soldiers to take part in the experiment violated "the ground rules regarding experiments on human subjects," adding that "crucial information concerning possible side effects and the risks involved was withheld from the soldiers." In response, the Defense Ministry said that the research protocol had been approved by the IDF's Helsinki committee and by the Health Ministry. The ministry also stressed that the Defense Ministry, Health Ministry and IDF had taken "full responsibility" for all side effects suffered by participants in the tests.