Tuskegee Ethical Principles
Ethical Principles Relating to The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is a well-known public health concern. Dating back to 1932, it has since helped govern the principles of ethics in the United States (CDC, 2016). The four major ethical principles, “respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice”, relate to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study through many aspects (Gillon, 1994). There are numerous ethical and legal lessons that have been refined since the unfortunate study took place.
At the beginning of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Public Health officials in the United States wished to treat syphilis in the minority African-American population. Syphilis was among one of the many increasing health concerns. Prior to the depression, they set out with the intention to help treat bad blood with a new method consisting of “mercury and bismuth” (CDC, 2016). These treatments were toxic. After funding was cut, some officials then decided to continue the study. They enrolled 600 African-American men (399 with syphilis) until death; providing free hot meals, medical exams, transportation, and burial covearge (CDC, 2016). The purpose of this study was to compare untreated syphilis mainifestations …show more content…
This showcased the importance of not only informing the study participants of the reasoning of the study, but also allowing them the right to choose to be and contuinue to be involved. This is a hallmark study displaying the need to treat patients with known conditions with the known solutions. Study participants need to be treated with transparency and honesty. Aside from ethical concerns with this study, it follows the legal concern of medical racism. Africian-Americans were subjugated and not provided with equality, while their health was in grave danger. This study continues to cause distress when African-Americans are asked to join medical
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is a well-known public health concern. Dating back to 1932, it has since helped govern the principles of ethics in the United States (CDC, 2016). The four major ethical principles, “respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice”, relate to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study through many aspects (Gillon, 1994). There are numerous ethical and legal lessons that have been refined since the unfortunate study took place.
At the beginning of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Public Health officials in the United States wished to treat syphilis in the minority African-American population. Syphilis was among one of the many increasing health concerns. Prior to the depression, they set out with the intention to help treat bad blood with a new method consisting of “mercury and bismuth” (CDC, 2016). These treatments were toxic. After funding was cut, some officials then decided to continue the study. They enrolled 600 African-American men (399 with syphilis) until death; providing free hot meals, medical exams, transportation, and burial covearge (CDC, 2016). The purpose of this study was to compare untreated syphilis mainifestations …show more content…
This showcased the importance of not only informing the study participants of the reasoning of the study, but also allowing them the right to choose to be and contuinue to be involved. This is a hallmark study displaying the need to treat patients with known conditions with the known solutions. Study participants need to be treated with transparency and honesty. Aside from ethical concerns with this study, it follows the legal concern of medical racism. Africian-Americans were subjugated and not provided with equality, while their health was in grave danger. This study continues to cause distress when African-Americans are asked to join medical