It's science

Syringe with a vaccine being tested against the coronavirus.SIPHIWE SIBEKO / Reuters

The suspension of trials of the AstraZeneca vaccine, one of the most advanced of the thirty that is already being tested in humans, is a resounding reminder that the paths and rhythms of science are not political.

And that any false hope encouraged by governments of all kinds can have risky consequences if it jeopardizes the security of an investigation under pressure or causes a relaxation of precautions to avoid contagion.

There are facts that should always be remembered: the usual process to accredit a vaccine usually lasts several years and the scientific universe, for example, has not yet achieved one against AIDS, a disease that since its identification in the 1980s has caused tens of millions of deaths.

Since Big Pharma began the race to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the WHO has registered 179 experimental projects, of which 34 are already being tested in humans.

The procedure requires a long pacing of research, tests, verifications and authorizations with very defined phases and constant mechanisms to progress: from experimentation on cells and animals;

later in small human groups;

until reaching the massive tests in thousands of people of different countries, ages, risks and profiles.

And it is in this phase, when AstraZeneca was testing the vaccine in 50,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa, when the appearance of transverse myelitis, a "potentially inexplicable" disease in one of the volunteers, has generated the suspension.

For the company, it is routine.

For the expectant society, an icy bath of reality.

The good news is that the procedures have worked.

The controls have served to give the pause button in a process that can be resumed when what has happened is identified.

But there are two bad news: on the one hand, the momentary stop to the most advanced project of all those that are competing for the vaccine, a blow to realism in the face of a pandemic that continues to outwit the medical and scientific class around the world.

And, on the other, a warning to rulers who try to hang the vaccine medal ahead of time.

President Donald Trump, who has gone the furthest in the irresponsible and unfounded extension of false hopes, has boasted that he will arrive before November 3, the election date when a new term is in play.

Also in Spain the Government recently assured that it will arrive before December, and there are communities that are already detailing plans.

Plans must exist, but false promises are unnecessary.

Nine pharmaceutical companies have signed a document to defend the scientific procedure against political pressure.

That scientists advance in the safest and most verifiable conditions possible is desirable.

That governments do not play with promises and put their energy into maintaining tension regarding social distance and resources to avoid contagion and provide better means for medical services is not only desirable, but minimally required.

Each one, that efficiently fulfills its role.

And answer for it.