DITSHWANELO's Position on HIV Vaccine Trials in Botswana

DITSHWANELO joins the rest of the world in observing International Vaccine Day - 18 May 2003. We recongnise the significant advances which vaccines have contributed to the development of human kind. In that light we trust that a successful HIV vaccine can be developed in Botswana to curb the spread of the HIV epidemic. However, DITSHWANELO would like to raise the following points:

While:

• DITSHWANELO believes that continuing advancement in scientific development is necessary to deal with the HIV epidemic.

• DITSHWANELO is a member of the (CAB) Community Advisory Board to guide the Botswana-Harvard Partnership on the conduct of HIV vaccine trials in Botswana

We, however, remain concerned that:

• Persons who participate in clinical trials should only do so with their full informed consent, i.e., they should know the benefits and the potentially negative effects of their participation

• There is no legislation in Botswana on clinical trials or scientific research on human beings

• It is the first time that vaccine trials on human beings are being done in Botswana nad there are no local precedents to inform such trials

• The human rights and human dignity of the research participants and the community be protected.

16 May 2003
Gaborone