The Tuskegee Syphilis Study

Research with human subjects has always been important and knowledgeable towards the progress of medical science. According to Persell, (1990) regarding ethical issues involved in research, people cannot and should not be manipulated by researchers. They should be told as much as possible about the nature of the study without jeopardizing the aim of the research. The moral or ethical side is to balance the protection of the individual’s rights and interest while encouraging the advancement of science (website. Retrieved 5/20/07). Any type of research is a form of intrusion into the lives of the individuals and with this come great risk. Therefore, their permission should be granted and their responses and results treated with confidence and respect. Although research studies are often used to inform public policy, potential discomfort to participants must be weighed against the expected scientific gain (Persell,1990).

Sometimes researchers may need to hide their identities, especially when doing participant observations. Certain groups such as cults and corporate boards may not want them in their midst. There are ethical and practical dangers in secret research and researchers must decide if the same or similar results are obtainable without deception. In many cases it is possible says Persell, (1990) and when it is not, they must evaluate the importance of the research. Another important ethical issue is regarding who gets studied and who learns the results. Traditionally the poor and minorities have been studied most often with little or no personal gain. An example of this would be the information gathered from welfare mothers and their children as oppose to the wealthy and their children.

Yes, this experiment violates the ethical standards regarding human subjects in research during the Tuskegee Study period. It would also violate today’s ethical standards regarding the same issues. During that period and now there were standards. The difference is how they worked to protect the public and the subjects. In both eras the main concern focuses on legal liability and public image. Then and now not much concern was given to the necessity of the ethical rules but more to the practical side. However, those involve have learned form past experiences that to adjust regulations might be important at times but not always in the best interest of those involve. The government has the power to create and keep great important secrets, especially those of national interest. However, they must do so in a manner that gains trust from the public. (website. Retrieved 5/20/07).Blacks today is more aware and educated regarding their rights and is speaking out against injustice. It’s possible that similar experiments are being conducted today but the government is more cautious in their efforts to cover their tracks to avoid the repercussions of violating similar ethical standards.