Infected for Science

by Sydney Halpern, Trygve Faste (Illustrator)

While World War II was still raging, David Miller and a group of conscientious objectors volunteered for US government–sponsored experiments that deliberately exposed them to hepatitis. As study subjects, they endured invasive procedures, the specter of debilitating illness, and a growing awareness of the human costs of dangerous medical research.

Based on Miller’s vivid cartoons and other historical documents, Infected for Science brings this hidden history to life with artwork by Trygve Faste and a deeply researched narrative by Sydney Halpern. Together they capture the toll of the experiments and the men’s decision to voice principled objections to medical studies with people who had not willingly consented.

With bold visuals and gripping storytelling, Infected for Science uncovers a forgotten chapter in American medicine and raises questions about research ethics that resonate today. This powerful graphic narrative explores patriotism, protest, and the moral courage of those who chose to put themselves in harm’s way for what they believe is right.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, History, Graphic Novels Comics

196 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Renee V · Rating 5 out of 5]

The WW2 human subject hepatitis experiments were the intersection between epidemiology and research ethics. i would’ve never known about these experiments if it wasn’t for this informative story.

[Erick Mertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little heavy-handed, but the book exposed an interesting and unexpected story. I felt like this was something I "should know" and reading it opened my eyes in an interesting way.

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

While researching vaccine studies, Sydney Halpern discovered a series of Hepatitis studies performed by the government during WWII. She also discovered cartoons created by David Miller, one of the test subjects. Miller was a conscientious objector who served in CPS, the Civilian Public Service, when drafted for the war. Using his drawings and her research, Halpern puts together the story of Miller’s time on a Hepatitis medical trial where healthy men were infected with Hepatitis to study the disease’s transmission and infection rates. But the men might not have fully understood the dangers of the study, and there are questions whether the experiments were ethical. Here, she presents Miller’s story and the many questions about the experiments in graphic novel form.

An interesting graphic novel about a series of Hepatitis studies performed by the government during WWII. It explores the cost the studies had on the participants, mentally and physically, and also discusses the ethical questions of performing studies like those. The book is very straightforward and often simplistic in its storytelling, but it’s a good basic look at the events.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A digestible nonfiction about the often covered up history, human experimentation through the eyes of the guinea pig. Everything in blue were the original drawings by David Miller, who volunteered and survived the hepatitis experiments. Sydney Halpern pieces together the timeline and finds David Millers survivors, and the book is told by her explaining to his children what their father lived through over 70 years ago.

[John Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good graphic novel about an area of WW2 that I knew nothing about: conscientious objectors who signed up to be guinea pigs for medical tests conducted by the US Army. The book throughout features art from David H. Miller, who drew cartoons while undergoing these tests that detailed what was done to him and others.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't skip the preface.
You can read this book in a day.

[Christa Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is important and the graphic novel is so well done. Recommended!

[Kaitlyn]

We LOVE a graduate ethics professor who assigns a graphic novel as the first reading of the year!!!! Yay for diversity and accessibility!!! 🎓

[Mel Usack · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5