17 people being paid to host worms in bodies for research
In the Netherlands, 17 volunteers are being paid $1,200 each to host parasitic worms in their bodies for 12 weeks. The study is centred around developing a vaccine for schistosomiasis (snail fever), where a flatworm enters the body through the skin and can cause kidney failure, bladder cancer and infertility. Participants have reported rashes and fever symptoms as side effects.