The Pros And Cons Of Biochemical Testing

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Although government research led to world changing creations and discoveries, there remained a darker side to these experiments. The use of human test subjects was a near universally accepted idea in the scientific world. Many of these subjects were of a lower class or otherwise undesirable backgrounds, putting them at a disadvantage to receiving their proper rights and choices. Regardless of the several benefits, many argue that the ends did not justify the means. Opponents of human testing contend that the damage done to subjects was inhumane and unethical. Hornblum et al attacks the use of biochemical testing in a view supported by the majority of modern scholars. Often subjects were left with life changing side effects or worse. “Beyond …show more content…
It was seen as a universal truth that both the Western and Eastern powers would be developing this research, so it was vital in turn to have proper defensive action in place. The historical motivations of testing are highlighted in the book The United States and Chemical Warfare by Endicott and Hagerman. The deep seeded fear of Communist attack or soviet development of the very technologies the United States had developed, allowed pro testing groups to sway public opinion. “Bacteriological weapons had great military potential, and their presence in the world 's military arsenals was a reality of life.”(Endicott & Hagerman 44). Utilizing fear was a universal concept of the cold war and Testing groups utilized this to push their agendas in areas such as cures for biological attacks and defensive from the adverse effects of nuclear fallout and radiation. This fear would remain constant until the end of the Cold War, when a change began to occur in the American perception of human …show more content…
As the world 's focus began to shift to the middle east, the United States was involved in several conflicts during the late 20th century including the Iran-Iraq war and the Gulf War. However involvement in the middle east was drastically increased as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The 9/11 attacks served as a catalyst for American Involvement in the middle east and brought with it a new era of American culture. The societal responses delivered by the attack harkened back to not only the fear felt during the Pearl Harbor attacks and Cold War society, but also resulted in an increased sense of nationalism reminiscent of World War II. Along with this fear and patriotic response, this attack also led to extreme racial discrimination and hatred towards muslims and those of middle eastern descent. The United States government along with several other interest groups utilized the emotional state citizens and society as a way to further their agenda in the middle

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