Researchers to test controversial DNA-based Zika vaccine on volunteers, despite unknown health effects in humans

‘Officials with Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have given researchers in Quebec the go-ahead to begin testing a controversial vaccine designed to protect against the Zika virus, which is said to cause microcephaly, a birth defect resulting in decreased head circumference.
The testing will be conducted at three different locations, including Universite Laval in Quebec City, the Toronto Star is reporting.
Researchers recruited a total of 40 healthy volunteers from Quebec City, Miami and Philadelphia to serve as guinea pigs for the DNA-based vaccine. Yet, DNA vaccines are said to be even riskier than traditional vaccines.’
Read more: Researchers to test controversial DNA-based Zika vaccine on volunteers, despite unknown health effects in humans