Counterterrorism policies and practices: health and values at stake
By Lisa Eckenwiler, Matthew Hunt, Ayesha Ahmad, Philippe Calain, Angus Dawson, Robert Goodin, Daniel Messelken, Leonard Rubenstein & Verina Wild
The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used a fake vaccination programme to obtain DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples in the search for Osama Bin Laden, which caused distrust and hampered polio eradication and other public health efforts in Pakistan.1,2 The Obama administration’s vow that the CIA will never again exploit a vaccination programme in its counterterrorism efforts, therefore came as welcome news to global health and humanitarian communities.3