Long after the infamous Tuskegee experiments, African-American men in Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia were being experimented on by private companies such as Johnson & Johnson. Instead of syphilis, these companies and dermatologists hired by them conducted skin experiments on hundreds of prisoners. The lead doctor was quoted as saying that “acres of skin” available for testing at the prison. Although the prisoners were paid hundreds of dollars a month to be experimented on, many of these men suffer lasting effects.
Quiet is kept, 90% of all pharmaceutical products were tested on prison inmates. Despite America’s history of abuse in this era, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences is now advising in a report entitled “Ethical Considerations for Research Involving Prisoners” that higher risks experiments should now be allowed if there is a potential benefit to the prisoner. This begs the question of what is “beneficial” to the prisoner.
As I get older I think that The State Of . . . America changes rarely. Shouldn’t there be more outrage over this? In Chicago, after years of speculation, a multi-year investigation found that the Chicago Police force tortured hundreds of black male suspects. And yet, where is the public anger? What about an investigation into Mayor Daley’s role as chief prosecutor during those times? Are we afraid to defend criminals and prisoners? Are not our own people worth basic human rights?
Filed under: Uncategorized
