The Tuskegee Experiment

The Tuskegee Experiment is one of the unethical Health Researches done in the United States. The way the research was conducted was against people's civil rights. Totally secretive and without any objectives, procedures or guidance from any government agency. During the time that the project was launched there were very few laws that protected the public from medical malpractice or from plainly negligence. Also the Civil Rights act did not pass until the 1960's.

Before the Tuskegee Experiment in 1926, there was a major health problem and it was syphilis. Then in 1932 the Tuskegee experiment begins. The research took place in the city of Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama. Where poverty and no opportunity was the main problem for African- Americans.
Most people in the U.S. learn STDs in their health class in high school. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes sores over private parts or all over the body in a later stage. Syphilis is caused by a bacteria called spirochete. The spirochete cannot survive outside the body. The only way to get the disease is by intimate contact, but catching it is rare. Having more than one partner could increase the chances to catch the disease. The spirochete enters in a break in your skin genitals area or mouth. Once in your body, about three weeks it becomes a sore or have multiple sores. The sore looks like a crater on the surface of the skin. In the first stage it can be treated easily with antibiotics or penicillin. The second stage the syphilis spreads to the rest of the body. It is visible in your hand and soles and in your feet. It can cause cardio-vascular disease, mental problems, paralysis, blindness and tumors. Syphilis has links to HIV/AIDS. It also attacks your nervous system. After infection it takes 21 to develop any symptoms for other people it takes from 10 to ninety days. It acts like no other disease known. The last stage is the deadliest if ignored, by the person. The damage obtained by syphilis is irreversible. By practicing safe sex (condoms), or having one sex partner can prevent these
It seems that the disease was brought into the new world during the voyage of Christopher Columbus by ship crew members. At that time there were not known medical treatment. Later in 1940, scientists discover that the disease could be cured with penicillin. In the 16th century a cream made of the guaiacum plant (grows in the Amazon), and mercury were the medical treatment believe to cure syphilis. These cures were not effective and mercury is highly