PHIL 2025 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Macon County, Alabama, Pitt County, North Carolina, Penicillin
Document Summary
The tuskegee syphilis study is a horrendous example of research carried out in disregard of basic ethical principles of conduct. The publicity surrounding the study was one of the major influences leading to the codification of protection for human subjects. In 1928, the director of medical services for the julius rosenwald fund went to the u. s. public health. Service (usphs) to consider ways to improve the health of african americans in the south. At the time, the usphs had just finished a study of the prevalence of syphilis among black employees of the delta pine and land company of mississippi. About 25% of the sample of over 2000 had tested positive for syphilis. The usphs and the rosenwald fund collaborated in treating these individuals. Subsequently, the treatment program was expanded to include five additional counties in the southern u. s. : albemarle county, Virginia; glynn county, georgia; macon county, alabama; pitt county, north carolina; and tipton.
