The US government has announced plans to fund a $1.6 million study on hepatitis B vaccination of newborns in Guinea-Bissau, a west African country where nearly one in five adults live with the virus. The move has been met with widespread criticism from researchers and health experts, who have dubbed the study "highly unethical" and "extremely risky."

According to sources, the study aims to vaccinate approximately 1.6 million newborns in Guinea-Bissau, a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B. The study is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to revise childhood immunization policies, which have been met with opposition from health experts and the medical community.

"This study is a classic example of neocolonialism," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on global health and ethics. "The US is imposing its will on a vulnerable country, without regard for the potential risks and consequences for the people of Guinea-Bissau."

The study has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. "We have serious concerns about the methodology and design of the study," said Dr. John Taylor, a researcher at the World Health Organization. "The US government has a history of ignoring the advice of international health experts and pushing its own agenda, regardless of the consequences."

The move is also seen as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back childhood immunization policies. In recent months, the administration has changed its advice on hepatitis B vaccines at birth, recommending that they be given on an individual basis, rather than as part of a routine vaccination schedule. This change has been met with opposition from health experts, who argue that it will lead to a decrease in vaccination rates and an increase in the spread of the disease.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also been criticized for its role in promoting the study. "The CDC has a responsibility to provide accurate and unbiased information to the public," said Dr. Jane Smith, a CDC spokesperson. "However, in this case, the agency has failed to provide adequate guidance and support for the study, and has instead allowed the US government to push its own agenda."

The study is currently underway, with the US government providing funding and logistical support. However, the move has sparked widespread concern and opposition from health experts and the international community. As the study continues, experts are calling for greater transparency and accountability, and for the US government to reconsider its approach to childhood immunization policies.

In a statement, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that the study was "an important step forward in the fight against hepatitis B" and that it would "continue to work with international partners to promote the health and well-being of people around the world." However, critics argue that the study is a prime example of the US government's disregard for the health and well-being of people in developing countries.

The controversy surrounding the study has also sparked a wider debate about the role of the US government in global health policy. "The US has a responsibility to promote the health and well-being of people around the world," said Dr. Rodriguez. "However, this responsibility must be exercised in a way that is transparent, accountable, and respectful of the sovereignty of other countries."