The Tuskegee Study violated the “respect for persons” principle in that African-American men were recruited without voluntary informed consent that outlines the risks and benefits of the study. The participants were not assured that enrolling in the study is voluntary and that they can withdraw from the study any time without penalty. Instead, implied threats (coercion) and excessive compensation (undue influence) were used to pressure the participants to take part in the study. The beneficence principle was likewise violated by the Tuskegee Study because the researchers did not give forethought to the maximization of benefits and the reduction of risk that might occur from the study. The participants were told that they are receiving medical
