Ans: What possible negative implications can be applied or harm can come to a population due to the results of a particular study? What are the possible benefits of the research results for the population? Are the sample and population studied fairly representative of the general population that could benefit from the research results? More specifically, did the researcher or researchers present a reasonably clear argument for studying the population, if the study was restricted to a particular group?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: This study was intended to follow the natural course of syphilis, specifically in African American males. The study spanned 40 years, beginning in 1932 and ending in 1972. It was originally hypothesized that there were differences by race in the natural progression of syphilis (Thomas & Quinn, 1991). The study was designed to last for 6–9 months and was conducted in Macon, AL. The Alabama state health officer solicited assurance from the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) that participants would eventually receive treatment (Thomas & Quinn, 1991). However, the participants in this study never received treatment, even though treatment was available as early as 1943, when the USPHS began administering penicillin as a treatment for syphilis across the country. One reason given for not providing treatment was that of the attitudes of the officials who were overseeing the study. For example, Dr. John Heller, Director of the Division of Venereal Diseases, stated that: “the men’s status did not warrant ethical debate, they were subjects not patients, clinical material, not sick people” (Jones, 1981, p. 179). The Tuskegee study was ended in 1972 when it became public that these men had had standard, effective medical treatment withheld. Numerous other reasons were cited for the treatment these men received, and many centered on the attitudes of the medical community toward those of different races, particularly African Americans (Gamble, 1993; Thomas & Quinn, 1991). For example, Gamble (1993) stated that certain assumptions about African Americans led to the unethical treatment of subjects in this study, such as beliefs that African Americans are promiscuous, lustful, and generally do not seek out medical treatment. Consequently, not providing medical treatment was justified in the minds of the study officials. It has been estimated that 28–100 of the participants died as a consequence of their untreated syphilis (Gamble, 1993).