The recent uncovering of the US exposing Guatemalans to syphilis brings back to mind this infamous study. In between 1932 and 1972, researchers recruited 400 black share-croppers in Tuskegee, Alabama to study the natural progression of syphilis.
But the scientists never told the men they had syphilis. Instead, they went around believing that they were being treated for "bad blood" disease as researchers used them to find out the extent of syphilis symptoms and effects.
In 1947, penicillin became the standard cure for syphilis. But along with withholding information about the disease, scientists also "forgot" to tell their subjects that what they were being treated for had a cure. And so the study continued for nearly 30 years more.
Once it was discovered, the backlash to the study was so fierce that President Bill Clinton made formal apology, stating he was sorry that the government "orchestrated a study that was so racist". Sadly enough, it would be horrific, but one of the more docile evil human experiments ever conducted by the U.S. Government.
But the scientists never told the men they had syphilis. Instead, they went around believing that they were being treated for "bad blood" disease as researchers used them to find out the extent of syphilis symptoms and effects.
In 1947, penicillin became the standard cure for syphilis. But along with withholding information about the disease, scientists also "forgot" to tell their subjects that what they were being treated for had a cure. And so the study continued for nearly 30 years more.
Once it was discovered, the backlash to the study was so fierce that President Bill Clinton made formal apology, stating he was sorry that the government "orchestrated a study that was so racist". Sadly enough, it would be horrific, but one of the more docile evil human experiments ever conducted by the U.S. Government.
