Medical Ethics Case Study On Tuskegee

Decent Essays
1. Tuskegee syphilis study is an example of cohort epidemiological study because men suffering from syphilis were identified and tracked to observe for the long-term effects of untreated syphilis.

2. The study was unethical on many levels. First, the subjects were not informed about the protocol and purpose of the study. The subjects were not informed of their right to opt out or quit at any period during the study. The subjects were not informed of the long-term health risks of untreated syphilis. Furthermore, the subjects were lied about their conditions and deceived that they were receiving treatment when in-fact no treatment was provided even when the option was available. In addition, human subjects were exposed to other diseases and disorders including paralysis with painful procedures without their consent.

3.
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The study greatly impacted how are clinical trials conducted today. After the Tuskegee study, many polices and regulations were established to ensure fair and equal opportunities of treatment to all human subject. The new regulations imposed by government required that the companies, hospitals, and other research facilities inform their subjects about the risk and benefits of any study before participation and receive “informed consent”. The established policies preserved basic human rights such as freedom to choose and decline any treatment or medical procedures at any point during the

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