JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel developed a vaccine against anthrax by testing it on IDF soldiers.
The project, code named Omer 2, began in the 1990s. American military and medical officials also participated in the project, Ynet reported Wednesday after Israel’s Supreme Court cleared the story for publication.
Study participants received sketchy information about the experiment but were told about potential side effects, according to Ynet. The 716 soldier volunteers have been monitored for four years, with 11 seeking medical attention for side effects.
A group of volunteers recently petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to establish a commission of inquiry into the matter, a request rejected by defense officials on the basis of national security.
