Bad Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment by James H. Jones

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Recommended: Detailed Knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study

Bad Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment by James H. Jones Introduction The book BAD BLOOD: THE TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS EXPERIMENT by James H. Jones was a very powerful compilation of years of astounding research, numerous interviews, and some very interesting positions on the ethical and moral issues associated with the study of human beings under the Public Health Service (PHS). "The Tuskegee study had nothing to do with treatment … it was a nontherapeutic experiment, aimed at compiling data on the effects of the spontaneous evolution of syphilis in black males" (Jones pg. 2). Jones is very opinionated throughout the book; however, he carefully documents the foundation of those opinions with quotes from letters and medical journals. The book allowed the reader to see the experiment from different viewpoints. This was remarkable because of the initial feelings the reader has when first hearing of the experiment. In the beginning of the book, the reader will see clearly there has been wrong doing in this experiment, but somehow, Jones will transform you into asking yourself, "How could this happen for so long?" Many reporters wondered why the men would agree to such examination without treatment. Jones points out the economical status of the 1930's is one where the men were eager to attend because they received so much more than what they currently had during that time period. Free medical exams, free rides to the examinations, hot meals on exam days, free treatment for minor ailments, and a guaranteed burial stipend of a modest $50 in 1932 were all promised to the men for their involvement with these experiments (Jones pg. 4). ... ... middle of paper ... ...nhuman experiments (Jones pg. 11) should never be tolerated. As public administrators, we should continue to keep balance within the organization so there will never be an unbalance of power that is associated with the day and age of the Tuskegee Study. Medical scientists were rarely asked to justify their methods of experimentation (Jones pg. 97), and therefore was the main reason these experiments were allowed to continue. In addition to great sales tactics, and the uninformed subjects, this experiment was bound to continue until one man began to ask, "Why?" As I see it, Mr. Peter Buxton, a venereal disease interviewer and investigator of the PHS in San Francisco, started the process of questioning the Tuskegee Study. Mr. Buxton can be accredited for starting the closing of this experiment, and Jones for bringing these lessons learned to the public's attention.

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