Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) is a venereal disease that causes lesions, rashes on the foot and hands, and ultimately cardiovascular and skeletal issues if untreated for a number of years. It is easily transmitted by close sexual contact or through the mother upon the birthing process. Many people may not know that they have contracted syphilis because it is known as the “great imitator,” meaning that it presents many signs and symptoms of other common diseases.
Syphilis was heavily studied in the early 20th century in an experiment known as the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, which targeted African Americans in order to assess how the disease progressed over time. The issue with this experiment, per the documentary, was that the patients were not informed that they were being given the disease and therefore, could not ask for treatment. The purpose of this was so that they effects could be studied over a number of years. It was unethical of the doctors because they would not allow the subjects to seek treatment and instead, they killed off the subjects to study how the disease effected lifestyles.
What does this experiment say to future experiments on certain ethnic groups around the country and around the world? Basically, it gives the idea that certain lives are expendable in the name of science. That statement is blatantly untrue. It creates an image of governmental experiments that they are highly unethical and okay to be performed. The Tuskegee experiment was an unfortunate occurrence in American medicine even though the outcome provided great insight as to how the disease progressed. This experiment leaves reluctance for future generations across all minorities to want to participate because they will be unsure if they will be treated the same as white Americans in experimentation.
HR: The PowerPoint on Syphilis and the Documentary watched in class. No unauthorized aid was used.