Biohacker Injects DIY Herpes Vaccine on Facebook Live

The stunt, performed at a biohacking conference, was purportedly part of a two-subject trial of the genetically modified vaccine.

Shawna Williams

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hand giving injection into thigh

ISTOCK, CRUPHOTO

Update (Feb. 14): Gizmodo reports that several Ascendance associates, including Andreas Stuermer, who developed the herpes treatment, are no longer working with the company and have publicly criticized Aaron Traywick. Tristan Roberts, who injected himself with Ascendance's purported HIV treatment in October, described Traywick as a "scam artist" in a livestream on Feb. 11.

“I do not do intermuscular injections into any muscles but my thighs . . . so I’ll be taking off my pants,” announced self-described citizen scientist Aaron Traywick 20 minutes into the half-hour broadcast whose denouement would be his self-injection with a purported vaccine against the ...

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Meet the Author

Shawna Williams
Shawna was an editor at The Scientist from 2017 through 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Colorado College and a graduate certificate and science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
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