In 1932, the US Public Health Service began a study to record the natural history of syphilis in hopes of justifying treatment programs for blacks. The study involved 600 black men – 399 with syphilis, 201 who did not have the disease. The study was conducted without the benefit of patients' informed consent. Researchers told the men they were being treated for "bad blood," a local term used to describe several ailments, including syphilis, anaemia, and fatigue. In truth, they did not receive the proper treatment needed to cure their illness. In exchange for taking part in the study, the men received free medical exams, free meals, and burial insurance. Although originally projected to last 6 months, the study actually went on for 40 years.
The American people are sorry -- for the loss, for the years of hurt. You did nothing wrong, but you were grievously wronged. I apologize and I am sorry that this apology has been so long in coming.-- President William J. Clinton, May 16, 1997
Remnants of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study Effects on University Freshmen: Yet a Possible Barrier to Research Participation?
Monday, October 8, 2007
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