2. Similar to the Execution blog, this another weighty issue. Take some time to mull it over. For your post: Consider which of the "four primary ethical violations" is the worst. As always, avoid qualifying. This tends to come across as waffling. Choose one of the four and argue your position.
The four primary ethical violations:
1) study subjects 'were members of one or more vulnerable populations;' 2) there is no evidence they gave informed consent; 3) they were often deceived about what was being done to them; 4) they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent.
3. In your comment, follow each of the following steps:
a) Decide which of the violations is the most abhorrent to you. Explain your rationale with a minimum of three logical examples. Please clearly delineate (describe, outline, portray) or differentiate between each of your examples.
b) Again this week, each sentence in your original comment and your comments to your peers must start with a different word.
Example: The word "I" may not be used to begin a sentence more than once in a single post. Choose your words carefully. Make each one count.
b1) Check out this resource: The Owl is Your Friend
*Deadline: Monday, October 11th at midnight
4. Respond to at least two of your classmates' comments by completing the following steps:
a) State whether you agree or disagree with the writer's standpoint.
b) Provide any three concrete examples of your choice to support your decision. They need not be lengthy, but there must be three. Why? THREE = BALANCE.
c) End your comment with a question for the writer to consider.
-->Remember: Each sentence in your comments to your peers must begin with a different word.
*Deadline: Friday, October 15th at midnight5. Remember the guidelines for grammar, spelling, propriety, etc.
Those that took part in the study had no clue of the consequences that may have and did occur in some of the “guinea pigs”, but they were partly to blame. They should have asked more about the study in question before they took part in it. Even though the U.S. Representatives apologized to those affected in Guatemala, it was sixty years overdue. You can’t take back sixty years of pain and misery. The people chosen and/or used for the study were intentionally used and not told of the things that could have gone wrong for certain people. Not only did many people become infected with the diseases, but they have no way to cure them, so they will live out the rest of their lives with these horrific viruses living inside them. How would the people of America feel if they had been infected with diseases such as these, and had not been told? Would they have been able to live sixty years without knowing why they had been infected?
ReplyDeleteThe following link is to the CDC report on this topic. It offers more information than what CNN reported .
ReplyDeleteCDC report link
As I understand it from the CDC report, the U.S. government funded the study, but the Guatemalan government was a partner and benefited from the results. This does not really change the ethical questions, but is good information to know.
In the article“Wrongful Testing By The U.S.” there was some long over due information that was finally brought to the public’s attention. The act of knowingly infecting a person with a sexually transmitted disease is extremely inhumane & unethical. Which aspect of it is most unethical? Well some opinions may vary, but I believe that the most unethical aspect of this human testing is the fact that the study subjects were members of vulnerable populations. As stated in the article the subjects of this human testing were Guatemalan solders, mental institution patients, & African-American men. Guatemala is a developing country facing many social problems & is also one of the 10 poorest countries in Latin America. More than half of the population is poor. Soldiers often face compromising situations that can alter their mental health severely. Mental patients are not capable of making proper decisions, if these subjects were even given a choice to take part in this experiment in the first place I do not know. And as for the African-American men who were denied any treatment at all, we know Americas past, this experiment being one that took place in the 1940's a time when racism & discrimination ran rampant in America. Are you beginning to see the connections here? Test subjects were of minority groups, underprivileged, or unable to make good decisions. By today’s standards this information may seem appalling, but this is not the only case in which unethical human testing has occurred on specific racial groups or social classes. During the Holocaust, a terrible time in history where anti-Semitic feelings were common & millions of Jewish people were murdered, medical experiments were also made on human subjects. These human subjects of course being Jewish, while the doctors preforming the experiments were usually German. Notice how the human subject in all cases has been of different a race that that of their experimenters. This is no accident, I see it as more of a way for the experimenters to emotionally detach themselves from the experiment. Chances are that the experimenters viewed there subjects as lesser than themselves. All humans have a sort of knowledge of what is right & wrong, but our minds sometimes tend to try & justify that which we know is wrong so that we may continue doing it with little remorse. A possible reasoning behind choosing test subjects of minority groups is the idea of superiority. Superiority being the idea that caused both WWI & WWII & also led to the mass murder of 6 million Jewish people. To me these are all acts of evil, all men & women are created equal. No human being should think themselves superior to others or take advantage of the vulnerable & defenseless.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that they were intentionally infected with pathogens is irrational. For one, it is strictly against human rights and their should be severe consequences for anyone who took part in keeping the project going, especially the one who started the whole project. Also, if the whole project was funded by the United States National Institute of health, then they should give money to Guatemala for the damage they have caused, even though no amount of money can make up for what they did. 60 years is a long time, the amount of infected has to have increased since then. This act will continue to affect the victims ans their kids and their kids etc.
ReplyDeleteThe most unacceptable violation of the four is that the scientist did not have written constant from the people that took part in the experiment.If the people had written constant the scientist could not have a chance to deceive the people that were being infected.Today people volunteer to be a part of experiments,but they sign a form which informs them of what will be done to them. People may take part in experiment for the money or to help further the understanding of science,but it is the persons own decision. By having the written constant some of the other violations could of been prevented.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the most abhorrent violation is that they were intentionally infected with pathogens without their understanding or consent. This violation pretty much puts all violations into one. The experiments that the united states national institute of health did is very inconsiderate, inhumane and irrational. First of all, they were not notified of the infection they were receiving. Next, the scientists who were testing the STD virus, syphilis, after twenty long years, they begin to apologize. That was actually very stupid to do, they did what they did and now they grow a conscience. Finally, what they did was inhumane. They violated their human rights. What has the United States come to? It first began with the native Americans and now people from central America.
ReplyDeleteThe fourth primary ethical violation in the study" Appears to have been funded", is the worst. i believe. It states, "they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without ther understanding or concent". these poor Guatamalan prisoners were infected with out even realizing what the hell was happening to them or what the long term effects could be. a majority probably didn't even know what was happening to them. i would first like to address the fact that the United States had no right, absolutley NO right to test their "experiment" on these people! and it's not even like the people that got tested were American! they were from a different country. Why would the US do tests like the ones they did, on people who arent even from our own country. and it sounds like we did ilegally, beacuse in the article it said that the the Guatamalans didnt know until know. what posessed these doctors to do such a thing? did they even think to realize the long term affects of what they were doing? why didnt anyone speak up about what was happeneing? i just think that personally, it is very VERY wrong. and like Clinton, i am very sorry that the Americans were apart of something so wrong and dehumanizingly cruel.
ReplyDeleteThe fourth violation is thw worste of them all. Due to the fact that people are getting infected with illness one does not know about. Frist of all, by infecting metal people is dehumanizing and cruel because the don't know what is going one with one another. Then by going to a different country and infecting people with STD's is wrong just wanting to experiment how penelince effects people. Also, the vonabality of them not know much about the medical diseses. Fianlly, what was going through the doctor mind when he was donig this. Like Clinton said I am very sorry with what americans did to the Guatemales.
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ReplyDeleteThe most abhorrent violation towards this case would have to be,"They were often deceived about what was being do them."This is a very critical case that took a long time to solve for, and for this country to get a apology. It is very reasonable if Guatemala takes legal action towards the US.For many years the US did not apologize for this situation which killed many Guatemalans. I believe that this took a long time to solve because they saw this as not important issue and this is why they did not take action towards this. This is a very unacceptable case and its very sad how these people died without even hearing an apology from this country.
ReplyDeleteOn cnn.com, an article was written exposing the way the US conducted wrongful tests on Guatemalans and other different peoples. The issue was not the testing but the fact that they were intentionally infecting them with pathogens that may have cause serious illness (in one case probably even death) without their consent or understanding of the matter. Finding a cure does not necessarily have to be done through infecting someone. Scientists should have found people that wanted to take part of the testing. For example, people that already had the disease and didn’t mind being part of the difference; those should have been used. I would understand using prostitutes. In a cold-hearted way I see that they don’t have much in life and probably already carried that disease but people like the soldiers were innocent. Furthermore, just the fact that any human was purposely infected makes everything morally incorrect. As far as we know, there is no physical evidence proving that they had their full understanding of the testing, making the US, their representatives and their people look inconsiderate and immoral.
ReplyDeleteIt is my belief that the second ethical violation is most abhorrent. To act upon another without the subjects consent is not what the United States is about, we are above those kinds of acts. The United States is a land with principles, principles of freedom, individuality, and the right to decide for oneself. These studies that were done are prime examples of what the U.S is not about and contradicts what the constitution stands for. What the constitution stands for is the right every man has to think for themselves and to consent to whatever they approve of and deem appropriate for their well being. How could this simple right been denied to those people? Even if they were'nt under the protection of the constitution, that still does not mean that they deserve to be treated as animal test subjects. Everyone has rights no matter where they are from or how their government is, a human is a human no matter what. So they deserve to be treated as so, and how would the scientists feel if they were in the test subjects position? Imagine the horror of having to go through a sereis of tests without really knowing what is in that needle that is now coursing through your bloodstream? Now that sends shivers down your spine, doesn't it? Well that is what those poor people went through,so much confusion and bewilderness ran through their head. Tests results revieled a terrible truth, which wouldn't have happened if it were not for the scientifical error done by the scientists. MIstakes done can be fixed if taken a proper look at but fail with horrible consequences if glanced over. Sadly, the mistakes were skimmed hrough and were not paid close attention to and the future effects were incredibly dramatic. Unfortunately those erroers were looked over by some of our own and it is a sad truth.
ReplyDelete-CHANEL: I agree with all the way. The U.S does not have a right to treat others that way, especially since they aren't even Americans. And to do it illegally? That's just wrong. What were the scuientists thinking when conducting these "experiments"?
ReplyDelete-AMY: You make a good point and defend your argument well. Even though it seems a bit harsh, I do agree with you. But what if the people being injected did ask questions? Don't you think it is possible that maybe the answers they got were just half of the truth? Or possibly misinterpreted the answer? Considering these two possibilities, on whom would the blame lie on?
Guatemalans were a group of peole that fell vulnerable to the United States. The United States promises a lot of things to the most vulnerable of people. They promises illegals the right to live here if they fight in war. May mexicans go out to war in hopes that they would survive and come back citizens of this country. Many of them return to back to the U.S to only return back to Mexico. People like the Guatemalans were on the same boat. Their faith and promises were put in the U.S and they only let the down.
ReplyDeleteThe worst ethical violation is the deception of the test subjects. Deception is cruel and wrong, but people still use it for their own gain. That is what Hitler used, so the Jews would "shower" in poison and die without knowing it. Another example would be when Hitler signed a peace treaty with Russia, and attacked them while their guard was down. A final example would be Britain taxed us after the French and Indian War and we payed those taxes up until a point. Deceiving people can result in negative consequences that people don't think about before doing something.
ReplyDeleteAll the ethical violations are abhorrent, but the worst is the fourth one.
ReplyDeleteIt is the worst because they were "intentionally infected'. Many people from Guatemala were infected with a diease known to doctors and scientist, and they know that those can lead to death. What makes it worse is that they were tested on without their consent.No one likes to be tested on with out them knowing what's going on. This experiment occurred over 60 years ago but the damage still remains, and it still could be affecting people today.
The most abhorrent thing about this article was that an experiment was carried out and people were used as subjects without their knowing. Individuals used in the experiment were victims; they were used as "labs rats." They were not informed about the experiment neither were they informed about being intentionally infected. This questions the United States' values and how much others should respect it. Guatemalans were taken advantage of and it does not give the United States the value and respect because of their shallow act. An excuse used by the United States to make their experiment seem reasonable was that prostitution in Guatemala was legal. This still does not give them the right to use others and it takes the U.S. so long to admit and apologize because they do not have the courage to do so sooner.
ReplyDeleteAll four primary ethical violations were wrong, but the second primary ethical violation: "there is no evidence they gave informed consent" repulsed me the most because the U.S. took advantage of these people. This action led to many fatal consequences. These Guatemalans did not give consent to the U.S., therefore, it is unethical of them to take advantage of such people, especially when this disease is, for the most part, untreatable. The fact that the U.S. cold not use their own bodies as test subjects, and had to use an outside resource is both unethical and cowardly.
ReplyDeleteMy ashamed country holds the cowardly aspect of the situation because they could not ask to use the Guatemalans as test subjects and because they had to burden them with sexually transmitted diseases without their consent.
its really sad to have to carry a deases in you. what makes it even worse is that you have probably been having strange symptoms. but the worse thing is that you have been caring it for 60 years and you havent found out. you cant take back what has already been done.that deases can take so much from you and not even effect you but your love ones to. the government did the right thing in apologizing but it cant be taken back.
ReplyDeleteBeing intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent to me is one of the for primary ethical violationd that is the worst. Infecting any type of mankind with a diesaes that they do not know anything about is a horrendous crime to commit and someone should been punished. Even though United States apologized for what they did to Guatemala it took them about sixty years. Serious consequences should of happen for keeping it going. The people did not even know that they were infected and could of easily transmitted the diesaes.
ReplyDeleteOut of the four ethical violations the most abhorrent one, in my opinion, was number four " they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent". Every human, no matter good or bad, deserves the right to their own body. It is sad that we America violated someone human's rights when it is one of the most important things we value as a nation. Even if they had agree who knows if the fully understood what the consequences were, the article states that the ones who were experimented were patients from a mental hospitable and soldiers. The patients aren't fit to make those decisions because the are mentally ill but they still deserve their health. For us to find out over 60 years later
ReplyDeleteis repulsing, because for the Guatemalan people it was years of silence in which they did not know what was wrong with their own body at the time. Imagine the pain they suffer and if they ever did find out they were infected the money they spend to restore their health.
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ReplyDeleteThe most abhorrent of the violations is the fact that the people were intentionally infected with sexually transmitted diseases. It is immoral and inhumane. I cannot believe anyone would intentionally give someone else a disease that could ruin their life or potentially kill them. If the scientists wanted to test this disease on someone, they should have tested it on themselves and not innocent people in a far of country. They consciously ruined the life of these people and did not care what would happen. Even though they did it in the name of science, it was wrong to do so. Guatemalans were used as the “test dummies” for their atrocious experiment.
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ReplyDeleteAll violations are abhorrent but to me the worst one is the fourth one "they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent." Many Doctors or Scientists knew about this disease and didn't take action. Obviously, they were intentionally infected. Many Guatemalans didn't have a clue what was going on. The US had no right to test their experiment on these people with out telling them what were going to be the affects afterward. I am glad that the US apologized, but I find it wrong that it took them sixty years to apologize to the Guatemalans for what they did to them.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the most abhorrent violation committed would be the fourth one. Not only did they not understand what was going on, or was given any consent on the matter, they were being infected with pathogens that could seriously endanger their lives and possibly kill them. It is bad enough that they are being used as lab rats for medical testing without their consent. The fact that some of the patients were under the care of a mental hospital makes this even more despicable. They do not have the mental capabilities of making decisions for themselves, yet the US Public Health Service still takes advantage of their mental disorders and manipulates them to their will. This is a violation of human rights. If the patients are in a state of vulnerability and cannot speak for themselves, then it should not be up to anyone else to speak for them. Everyone is entitled to their own brain and body. Taking that away from a person is just like breaking into someone’s house and stealing everything inside. Because of this, I believe it was wrongful for the US to do such testing on such untenable people. Although the US has apologized, it is an apology that is about sixty years late. There is nothing we can do to change the 1,600 people that suffered from STDs for experimental purposes without their consent.
ReplyDeleteThe worst aspect of this whole situation is the fact that they were infected purposely. Its terrible to even think of a person to deliberatly harm someones body. This act of infecting sombody with a disease should be concidered an atempt to man slaughter. I believe this is man slaughter because these diseases can kill a person. Yes, we know that the U.S was trying to cure them again with the penasilan but they didnt even kno if the drug would be affective. Therefore it was for the U.S's own selfish benifits to harm other people for medical information. One of the most terrible things about this was that the Guatemalan people didnt even know that they were infected with anything. They probably started to expierience a bunch of extreme symptoms but they didnt know what was going on with their body so they exepted the U.S's help. America has taken way to long to give Guatemala an apolagy, but then again maybe times were different back then. Now a days if people are going to run test with drugs and medications they have to go through tons of paperwork.
ReplyDeleteAll of the ethicals violations really bothered me, but them not giving the U.S. conformed consent. This shows who we can be considerd a bullies. It upstes me to know that we went into Guatemala and bullied them. To me there is really nothing that we can say or do to make up for what we did. We pratically ruined their lives by giving them these nasty diseases that are pretty much nontreatable exspeically in a low proviety county like Guatemala.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the most abhorrent violation that occurred in this situation was that there was no evidence that they gave informed consent and I think that this ties in with the fact that they were deceived about what was being done to them. Injecting an individual with something that can vitally affect them without giving them the slightest clue to what might happen to them is completely outrageous. You don’t expect to take medication without being informed the side effects that may possibly occur. The people of Guatemala were obviously lied to and deceived by the fact that they thought they were getting help by the U.S., but the reality is that they weren’t which is very shameful and embarrassing to our country.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that people were often deceived about what was being done to them is really disturbing to hear. It is pretty sad that there injecting people with something that they have no idea what it is. America puts them self out to be on top of everyone when the stuff were doing to people makes us become lower then others.Makes you start to wonder what else America is doing to people.
ReplyDeleteIt appears to me that all four of the primary ethical violations in the article "Wrongful Testing by the U.S." are abhorrent, but the worst seems to be that they were intentionally infected with pathogens. These pathogens could cause severe illnesses without the test subjects' understanding or even their consent. The more appropriate thing to do was to ask people if they were willing to participate in this study, rather than doing what they felt was best. To purposely harm some ones health for a study is just wrong and inconsiderate. Their illness could have escalated into death if not treated properly. I'm sure they are other ways to find a cure without infecting over a thousand people with a sexually transmitted disease. In addition to this, the United States wasn't even sure that the penicillin would be effective. Many of them were not even aware as to why these symptoms were occurring. What if all thousand victim's STD's resulted with death? Would US really take the blame for this? To intentionally infect the people of Guatemala was wrong and harmful to their society.
ReplyDeletethe last ethnical violation, to me, seems the worst. we the United States of America should not have tested their experiment on innocent people from a different country. on top of it these innocent civilians had absolutly no idea what the U.S. was doing to them, which is insane in my mind because, how can we parade around saying we are all about peace, justice and that we care about all humanity when we are doing things like this?i am uphauled that teh us would be so hippocritical with the situation.
ReplyDeleteThe worse violation the Guatemalans endured was that they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent. How would you feel, if you were that army man/woman, that prisoner, or that person who got it passed on sexually; and didnt even know it was killing you? No one deserves to go though the feeling or being sick or dying the way these people did. It was unfair to these people because; even though some of the people were convicts, it is not fair to a human to endure pain like that, Good people, who had a life ahead of them dyed because of this "mistake", lastly, Now the Guatemalans are always going to have a large number of infected people throughout Guatemala because of the United States.
ReplyDeleteI believe the third primary ethical violation is the worst among them all. Just the thought of them "deceiving" what was done to them, gives the US a bad representation. The US is mostly known for the "Natural Rights", and how everyone is born with the right to live; with them doing this to the people of Guatemala, it kind of makes us seem like liars. This probably also has people doubting on whether we will do it again or not. People who were used in this study, should at least have had the right to know what is being done to them. Another thing is the fact that it seems like the U.S. did not even care about the consequences or effects. They appear as selfish for using the people from Guatemala to make their people better, once again not thinking about the consequences of the health of the Guatemala people.
ReplyDeleteBeing intentionally infecting by pathogens that could cause serious illness without their consent, is probably the worst violations that the United States have committed out of the four violations. Transmitting a disease to someone intentionally, alone is something no one should do in the first place. It is pretty much giving someone their own death sentence with letting them know about it. Many STD's do not have a cure and that changes a lot of opinions, to feel a hatred for the U.S. If you do something this severe and you don't let the other person know, it just makes you look worse. That is exactly what happened to the U.S., it just gaves us a bad reputation or at least made it worse. Many STD's can get very serious and instantly kill someone. Many innocent people were injected and they didn't even know what affect it would have on them. Although this happened over a period of 60 years ago, the effect is the same as when it happened during that time period. Anyone can agree that earning these types of diseases is probably one of the worst things you can do to anyone. Guatemala has every right to press charges even though this crime was committed a long period ago.
ReplyDeleteOn the planet Earth processes occur that people like to protest against and make certain ideas seem as acts committed by the lowest of people, however when they receive the benefits from these heinous acts people quietly thank GOD for the blessings. These kinds of protests still happen today and in a few years people quiet down and say that these tests of a certain medical condition saved the lives of thousands. However, the manner in which experimenting in Guatemala was done was completely unethical. Four ethical violations were considered more severe than the others committed. Considering the four primary ethical violations I believe the harshest was “citizens being unintentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent.” Citizens of Guatemala that were used were probably uneducated and did not even know that they were test subjects. This fact alone draws sympathy because these poor fellows had to endure hardships and they did not even know why this was happening, they probably committed rituals and tried cures that their aunts told them much like what people do today when they are faced with a problem not encountered before. Another reason why this act was totally unnecessary was that there must have been many patients that naturally had this condition, from these patients a few volunteers could have been acquired producing nearly the same effects that this group had, if they needed a bigger group they could have persuaded some of the Guatemalans or any nationality to consent to testing on them. Finally the last reason why this act should have taken place was the issue of introduction of a pathogen to a new people. What if this pathogen were to escape, or even mutate? History has shown us that we cannot prevent these natural events from occurring, and if this does occur then the consequence is fatal and difficult to contain. Acts like these however evil should not have made America apologize to the government of Guatemala, but instead the people directly affected to the treatments. Guatemala’s government was just as guilty as was America’s perhaps even more because they allowed their people to be sold for money and assistance for the war they were currently in. America’s government should NOT have had to repeatedly apologize and then be threatened to have legal action taken against them for using Prisoners as test subjects to save the lives of many. Any legal actions taken against America are unnecessary and a waste of our time and their money. We have apologized and this matter should be ended here without anyone further aggravating others.
ReplyDelete"They were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent." It is sad to hear that the U.S. have intentionally infected Guatemalans with sexually transmitted diseases. "Researchers did not infect the subjects, but they did not tell them they had the disease either." How would they like it if they had an STD but didn't know about it? The worst part is that they knew they had the disease but didn't warn them about it. Wouldn't you be mad if you found out you had an STD you never knew you had? "Though it happened 64 years ago, it really is a profound violation of human rights," said Colom. It is 64 years too late to apologize, and their apology won't take back the diseases they gave to the Guatemalans.
ReplyDeletein my opinion the most abhorrent violation in this situation is the guatemalans being infected with a sexually transmited disease.Not thinking of the peoples health but only for their research. which makes this inhumane especially because study subjects were members of vulnerable populations. As the article says the subjects of this human testing were Guatemalan soldiers, mental institution patients, and african american men. Who back then had no saying to what was being done to them, knowing or not knowing what was happening.
ReplyDeleteWithout hesitation the most abhorrent violation is that the guetemalan were infected without any consent or precaution. It was selfish of the u.s. to even consider and use the guatemalans as theyre "experiment". it wouldnt have been any less different if they used other people it's just out of boundaries and unacceptable. The fact that they are apologizing 64 years later is just pathetic.
ReplyDeleteThe violation that is the most abhorrent to me, by far, is; 4) they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent. Every nation, person, or organization has its faults and here is an example of one of ours. Here is an advanced nation trying to further its understanding of science and medicine by testing it out on an unsuspecting population. This is wrong. What are some of the other examples of testing and the effect that this disease has on people? An example of unlawful testing on others without their consent, occurred during the Holocaust when some German doctors would test on their unlucky subjects and put them through inhumane test. The diseases commonly referred to as STD's have spread throughout parts of the globe where medical care is slim and hard to come by. STD's have ravaged countries and killed a great number of people throughout the globe, especially in Africa. Basketball great, Magic Johnson is another example of how STD's can affect a person. He however has courageously battled it and created many foundation for the helping of others to cope with these diseases. These Guatemalans, on the other hand, did not have the benefit of proper medical care and did not fully understand their predicament. Most likely, their lives and descendants have been hurt gravely by this disease. I give my heart-felt sympathy to those affected by these horrible and inhumane tests.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the intentional injection of a disease was morally wrong. The Guatemalans did not fully understand the risk that they were taking do to their mental illness. Just like animals are tested in labs with no say in the matter, the Guatemalans also had no way to protest this test.
ReplyDeleteThe most shocking violation that happen in this issue is whne peoplein Guatemala were lies to about what was being done to them. People in Guatemala were really test subjects, not knowing whats going on or what is being done to them. "They can not give concert, do not know what is going on..."(Arnold). It's wrong that people doing the these tests, couldn't even ask for permission. Not only that people didn't even tell the people in Guatemala they have the disease. "Researchers did not infect the subjects, but they did not tell them they had the disease either."(www.CNN.com)
ReplyDeleteWhat made this article the most horrendous was how these subjects were intentionally infected with harmful viruses without consent. These sexually transmitted diseases can affect a person's life, both physically and emotionally. The U.S. had no right to dramatically alter a person's life, even if it was for study. This reminds me of the testing that was done during the Holocaust on eye color; how they would do different experiments with the people and put them through agony just to see if it works. We are told that we are evolved and more humane, but this goes to show that we can go back to our barbaric ways. Are over a thousands lives worth a cure? I don't know the answer. However, I do know that after 20 years, there's really no point in apologizing; the damage is already done.
ReplyDeleteWhen asked which violation is most abhorrent to me, I have to say that the fact that they gave no consent stands out among the others. Seeing that these poor victims had no idea what was going on was sickening. Also, they infected mentally impaired people, who even if they had to give consent, would not know how or what to give their consent for. The worst part about it is that it happened so long ago and is barely coming to ground. The U.S. should not only be ashamed, but also embarrassed that such a fiasco could occur.
ReplyDeleteWith no doubt, the worst of these four violations has to be the one that says, "they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent". The people that were running these test had no right to do this to these people because they did not know what they were getting into. Testings such as these make our country look bad and why even apologize when this happen so long ago.
ReplyDeleteThe most abhorrent wrondoing to me was that they, the Guatemalan people, were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent. I think this is wrong because, you can't just take a person and make them your Guinea pig in order to run some tests. Second, this is against people's natural rights. Someone can't do something to you that might kill you, without your consent. Finally, it is just morally wrong to do this sort of thing to a person. All people are equal, no matter if rich or poor, just because someone is poorer than you and has less resources doesn't mean you could do whatever you want with them.
ReplyDeleteNumber four of the "four primary ethical violations" was the worst. Without having the consent of the person getting tested or having to do with an experiment is not legal and the person can be charged for that. When scientists or doctors have anything to do with their patients then they are in their hands and any of the consequences, good or bad, is entirely their fault. This is why they need the persons consent whether its just any little thing or a big one. The consequences of not getting the consent are bad; they can get arrested, charged for illegal stuff, charged for murder, get fired, or anything else can happen.
ReplyDeleteTo Josh: I do agree with what you picked and said on the topic. It is true how the people do not know what it is being done to them and that they are victims. I strongly agree how the U.S. should be ashamed and embarrassed. Also how would the mental people know what was being done to them?
ReplyDeleteTo Alejandra: I do agree with you too. Even though you picked another choice than me it makes sense and it is convincing. The people should know and agree with what they are doing to them. It is true how the U.S. is about natural rights and then they go and violate humans. That is making them look two faced.
The United States government intentionally infected Guatemalan citizens with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent. That act alone only shows how irrational are government can be at sometimes. In the study it states that 1600 hundred people were infected with either syphilis,gonorrhea, or chancres. Even one person is a person too many. An apology is all that the guatemalan people get after 64 years is an apology. President Alvaro Colom stated,
ReplyDelete"Though it happened 64 years ago, it really is a profound violation of human rights". Though an investigation is pending it is really uncertain what the US government plans to do. Guatemalans were treated as if they were animals being used for testing and it's wrong where's PETA when you need them?
It is sad to know that someone has discussed to put a disease in you. To have no respect for your consent in what is going in your body. Also, to have been treated like a animal because they did what they want to do you in a unhealthy way.
ReplyDeleteTo Marlyn: I agree with you it took to long and it can be said to the one's who had died. You support your side,that you pit, and defend it. Also, you need to check capitalization and didn't repeat the same word in the being of a sentence.
ReplyDeleteTo Jazmin: I agree with you it was not fair and disrespect to the Guatemalans. Your opinion was good I didn't thought about that.You only used one word more then once, but it is OK.
(Posting for Andrew Hawkins - This is on time.)
ReplyDelete-Imagine this, you are 26 years old, and your entire life you were called Peter; that's what your parents called you, that's what you went by in school, that's your identity. Then you find your birth certificate that reads the name Josejuan. Picture your reaction to the deceit of your revelation, it's the same reaction that the people of Guatemala experienced some 64 years ago . During the U.S. Public Health Service's scientific investigation of the effect of penicillin on syphilis stricken subjects, many Guatemalan patients were deceived about what was being done to them. Our Public Health Services, the modern saviors, were infecting foreigners with a disease so tragic, and yet lying to them about their true intentions! Not one bit of the article in question sympathizes with our government, nor should it. What occurred was downright savage and selfish for a myriad of reasons. To begin with, the people of Guatemala had enough problems! As the article states, the majority of those tested were prostitutes and prisoners, and I am pretty sure they were not in need of an STD to accompany their situation. Secondly, our Public Health Services did not in any way benefit the Guatemalan's. They had absolutely no right to cross boundaries and perform such acts without proper consent, and at the expense of others for that matter! Lastly, the most disturbing factor of the argument, the Guatemalan people were lied to about the test administered. For all they knew, they could have believed they were being treated for a cold, and perfectly acceptable of that matter. Instead, they were being infected with syphilis, one of the most vile diseases about. How disrespectful is that? Human beings, just like you and I, having no control over their health due to the selfish needs of others.
To Jazmin:
ReplyDeleteI tollay agree with you that the three one can be an abhorrent violention becuse they trick them into getting done. On the other hand, in my opinion the fouth one was the worst. For example, the were not old with what the were goign to get infect with. In addition, they infect mental people with STD and it is wrong to do that people that can not think for themselfs. Plus, the scientist did this on purpose because of wanting to know how a new medicine made to test on how it work. How were this people trick into getting tested?
To Thalia:
With the thing you said I totally agree with you on that fourth violition is the worst. One point that you made was good the thing that happen to a doctor's patient good or bad it the fault. Therefore, it there job to make them feel better and not worst. Also, that it was intentionally done to them because to see what can be done to treated. By take years to say sorry is wrong and not getting permission from the people. Finally, but what would happen if the people knew what happen to them?
To Jovani:
ReplyDeleteI most definetley agree with the viewpoints you have. infecting people with pathogens is a, what i believe to be a crime against humanity. but i really like your use of the word "horrendous". i like your word choice. it adds that extra punch of meaning to it. it sounds way better than just saying it was "bad".
To Quadree:
Quadree, i like that you brought you another example similar example to what occured. using the coomparrison with the nimal testing and the animals had no say in what was happening to them. The same kind of thing can be applied to the prisoners in Guatamala. i like your comparison.
@ Diana: I completely agree with you about your argument about the Constitution, but the Constitution stands only for the rights of American citizens. I also like the way you defended each point. You said something similar to my view: how would the scientists feel if it was being done to them. Isn't that what the Golden Rule is all about?
ReplyDelete@ Abby =]: I agree with you and your opinions, but I think you could also have mentioned the one fact that the article left out. Those test sujects that were infected were mostly from mental institutions, because the scientists thought that they couldn't think for themselves. They took advantage of their disability, and used it to their advantage, to get results to back up their study. Overall, you wrote really well, and I liked the way you defended your views.
To Julie- I completly agree with you for many reasons. I like that you used examples to support your opinion. All what you stated is very true.How do you think the US should of handle this situation in the begining?
ReplyDeleteTo Jazzmin-I agree,its is very true on how the US treated these poor people.You should try to give more information on this topic, but good job on giving examples.Do you beleive that it was correct for the US to apologize after so many years?
This is very disturbing as a whole, to know the United States was part of something so contemptible. Eventhough, all are despicable; the one that violates all human rights is, they were often delude of what going to happen to them. At this point in time The U.S was being hypocritical, as it spoke of freedom rights. With this being said, one can imagine the bewilderment that cause the Guatemalans as they experiance this horiffic process. Basicly their life and liberty was taken away, this was a horrible message the Americans were portying though, it was not until recent discovery that is was found. Futhermore, they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent is something simply atrocious. Optimistically, this results in being a one time incident and the united states is truly compunctious.
ReplyDeleteTo Alex Gonzales.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment on this. The point that you made about all men are created equal was great. I loved the way you stated that all men are created equal, I found that very unique. Furthermore, I found very creative how you compared the people being tested to guinea pigs. Take into consideration what kind of peopl ewere tested as well.
To Angie.
Your comment was great. I agree completely. The way that the US spoke of freedom and rights made everyone in the US hypocritical. In addition, I loved the way that you found something optimistic of such a horrific event. Truly, your comment was interesting and great.
to diana: I completely agree with you. The U.S. is suppose to be above all the deceit and lies and doing this harmful study makes us no better than a third-world country. However, maybe you can answer the question I was unable to. If this experiment went right and a cure was able to be obtained, would you still think it was wrong? It could save thousands of people. Would it be worth it to sacrifice lives in order to save lives?
ReplyDeleteto angie: You made some valid points about freedom being violated. Do you believe that these same rights are extended to the Guatemalans even though, technically, they are not under the same jurisdiction as Americans?And for future use: read over what you are trying to say because I found your comment to be hard to understand and the big words you used seemed to be used wrong. For example, you use the word "optimistically" and I find that there's nothing "optimistic" about this article at all. But overall, your opinions are true.
Julie: Julie, when I read your article, I couldn’t help but agree with you that many of these Guatemalans were just mere medical experiments that are very much similar to the Jews during the Holocaust. However, I believe that the Guatemalans were deceived by believing they were gaining benefits and as the Jews, they had a clue that damage was going to be done. I agree that we, being evolved and more humane than any other country, have turned back to our barbaric ways which is why I believe something like this may occur some time in the future again. The one thing I agree with you most is the fact that the U.S. has apologized after so many years which can also endanger our country. In my opinion, they should have kept it to themselves if it means keeping the people of this country safe. Honestly, it was pointless to apologize so late in the situation. Don’t you think that it would have been a better idea to keep this a secret, like they have done with many other morbid information hidden within the government?
ReplyDeleteQuadree: Quadree, I also agree with your statement, but your article showed that you didn’t put much thought into your argument. It was too simple to imbibe because you didn’t give your own opinions and explanations; the obvious was just stated. We all know that they weren’t informed of the risks, but what affect did this situation have on our country? Also, the Guatemalans did have a way to protest; they just weren’t knowledgeable of the whereabouts, unlike animals which are out of our own species. This was inhumane of us to do this to our own “brothers and sisters” from another country. Besides being morally wrong, do you see another part of a big picture?
Julie: Julie, when I read your article, I couldn’t help but agree with you that many of these Guatemalans were just mere medical experiments that are very much similar to the Jews during the Holocaust. However, I believe that the Guatemalans were deceived by believing they were gaining benefits and as the Jews, they had a clue that damage was going to be done. I agree that we, being evolved and more humane than any other country, have turned back to our barbaric ways which is why I believe something like this may occur some time in the future again. The one thing I agree with you most is the fact that the U.S. has apologized after so many years which can also endanger our country. In my opinion, they should have kept it to themselves if it means keeping the people of this country safe. Honestly, it was pointless to apologize so late in the situation. Don’t you think that it would have been a better idea to keep this a secret, like they have done with many other morbid information hidden within the government?
ReplyDeleteQuadree: Quadree, I also agree with your statement, but your article showed that you didn’t put much thought into your argument. It was too simple to imbibe because you didn’t give your own opinions and explanations; the obvious was just stated. We all know that they weren’t informed of the risks, but what affect did this situation have on our country? Also, the Guatemalans did have a way to protest; they just weren’t knowledgeable of the whereabouts, unlike animals which are out of our own species. This was inhumane of us to do this to our own “brothers and sisters” from another country. Besides being morally wrong, do you see another part of a big picture?
To Angie: I agree that was horrible how they were intentionially given diseases just for the sake of testing. That is like how Hitler tested different products on the Jews, and he didn't care for there wellbeing. Another example, when things are done intentionally they have more meaning as in when someone intentionally trips their sibling but denies it. Things like that are rude, childish, and can hurt someone's feelings. Final example, if you intentionally say something mean that also hurts. What are your opinions on testing on animals? Is it wrong or usefull?
ReplyDeleteTo Andrew Hawkins: My agreement is asured when it comes to deceit, because that is something that can describe people in example a deceitful person. Deceiving is personal gain through lieing or trickery. One example of this would be buying for something you believe to be real but is actually fake. You could pay for a degree online and it be useless in obtaining a job, and you relise you were scammed. A salesman can go door to door with one working product and use that one working product to sell a million broken ones. How do you think deceit effects our population?
@Quadree: I agree that the intentional injection is morally wrong. However, I don't think that they were unaware because of a mental illness. The Guatemalans were used and, like you said they had no say, because the United States didn't notify them of the experiment. Do you think that the U.S. would stoop low enough to take advantage of people who have a mental illness?
ReplyDelete@Andrew: What the United States did to the Guatemalans is really selfish and unfair. It's sad to think that so many of those people think that the U.S. is helping when they are actually being given a disease. If the Public Health Service was carrying out the experiment, do you think that they are worthy of their job?
@ Andrew: Andrew, you made very good points. How you began your post was very brilliant. That was a very good idea. I definitely agree with you. And you are right, the article in no moment does it sympathize with the government. Do you believe that their is a hidden reason why the article does not sympathize with the government?
ReplyDelete2 jazzmin=)
ReplyDeletethanks jazzmin for the tips i will remember to not repeat the same thing more than ones. I will also capatalize,and and not start with the same word when I comment or right posts
@Lena: You're right! The people of Guatemala were merely "lab rats" in a corrupt game of medicinal discoveries. United States Public Health Service's had absolutely no authority to commit such heinous acts, especially to the Guatemalan's disadvantage. Also, what a pitiful excuse we tried to use. Just because they had a greater risk of being exposed, it does not mean we had the right to purposely increase their chances. How do you think this would have played out if our Public Health Service used our own people as 'lab rats'?
ReplyDelete@Lizbeth: Very true. We always tend to stress the values of natural human rights, yet we had the audacity to take part in the demolition of them. What's sad is that our Public Health Services were totally aware of the hurt and pain they were causing, but they still insisted on doing so. Everyone, no matter what situation, has they right to know of harm upon their behalf, it's only ethical. 60 years ago, how do you think the American people would have reacted to such a discovery?
@Andrew: What the United States did to the Guatemalans is horrible and inhumane. Those people probably thought the U.S was helping them when they were really using them as guinea pigs. That isn't right and this may lead to conflicts in the future.
ReplyDelete@Jazzmin: It is really sad what the U.S did, I completely agree with you on that. You have some very good points.
To Bhavin:
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment. Most of the guatemala probably did not know that they were being used as test subjects. It was hard for them because they were getting ill and they did not know why.
To Alex G:
Yes I agree with you. No person should be used as a guinea pig in order to do their test. True
all people are equal no matter what class they are in.
To Thalia, I would have to disagree with you. The most horrible ethical violation was the first one; study subjects were members of one or more vulnerable populations. This is because Guatemalans put their trust in the U.S. Guatemalans could not do anything about being affected with STDs, they might of have feared to revolt about their treatmet. Fear is reason because they would be threatend to be return to Guatemala if they told anyone about their STDs. Since Guatemala and the U.S. have two seperate cultures and laungues, the interactment with in the two ws horrible. Would your choice still be the same if it a different enthic gruopd being affect with STDs?
ReplyDeleteTo Alejandra, I truley agree with you. The U.S. at this point, makes themselve look like liars. For the fact that you stated that all people living in the U.S. have rights. Shouldn't the Guatemalan people been warned about the experiments the U.S. was taking? You are also right when you say that the U.S. seemed selfish. This is because they Guatemalans and not on the Americans. It did make them seem as the U.S. only wants the best. Another thing i didn't like was when they offered their apologies and then they ask if the Guatemalan government would take legal action. They were acting as if an apology can fix everything. Does this make you wonder what other shenanigans the U.S. has done?
To:Jacqueline :)
ReplyDeleteYour post said it all.Im sure we all felt that all of the 4 primary ethical violations were pretty disturbing to read.I agree with your post because America could have figured out that the viruse they were injecting them with was not going to be the cure.Maybe America should think before its actions.
To: Abby =]
Your post was pretty veigh,considering that you basically said prostitutes should be the ones getting infected.Your point of view was mean but in reality is true.The people that actually strive for the cure are the ones who dont get the injection.
To Curly Karen: I completely agree with you. I haven't really notice until you mention it but the subjects were consider vurnerable. Showing statistics was a great way to back up your statement; if your country is one of the ten poorest countries in Latin America it will be hard to get the treatment you need. I like the way how you compare this event to the Holocaust. I seems like history has a way of repeating itself,do you believe that this will happen and involve the U.S. again? Or do you believe that our society as a whole matured from this experience?
ReplyDeleteTo Andrew: I like the way how you get so into your arguement. You're right we are selfish, the U.S. could have lied to Guatemala for all we knew. It was very savage of the U.S. to infect the Guatamalan people without their consent and much less those who were vurnerable to protect themselves. Do you believe that the Gautamelan people deserve a little more that just a simple sorry from the U.S.? If you do what can we do to ease their pain?
Nancy: I can not say that i agree or disagree you did not state your position of the violations. The worst of he violations was they were unaware of what scientist were doing to them. If they would of had a written consent they would not have been lied and deceived by the scientist. By having the consent it could of prevented the other violations. Having the consent form could of stopped the lining, wouldn't you of wanted to know what they where doing to your body?
ReplyDeleteCaylen:I agree, the worst violation was that the subjects were unaware of the harm that was being done to there bodies. People still join experiment to this day ,but to help scientist to understand disease and cures more. The people that do the experiments are told what is going to be done to there body unlike the Guatemala people.They are paid a great amount of money to help the scientist because there are risk to these experiments, and are aware of this.Do you think there is a possibility that the people that where being infected were being paid under the table to keep quiet, do as told and be a "good little boy"?
ReplyDelete@Sandra
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point of view. The United States did an awful thing by purposely infecting people with STDs. They did not care about the possible negative effects that their victims could have gotten. All that the scientists cared about was to obtain scientific results and did not care what happened to the Guatemalans. It was wrong for the United States to give these people a disease that could possibly kill them. Moreover, I agree with you about Guatemala pressing charges, because they were intentionally harmed. How would have the people that did this experiment react if this had happened to them?
@ Lisette
ReplyDeleteYou are right; the United States did a horrible thing. I also, feel sorry and ashamed for what the U.S. did to the Guatemalans. They took advantage of these people’s vulnerability and infected them with something that could kill them. Even if we do apologize, I do not think it will solve much, because the harm has been done. What do you think the United Sates should do to solve this?
@Caylen: I do agree with you that America was wrong however, I do not think they should have to give any money, that is just more taxpayer money spent. Guatemala was also involved in the process so any conflicts are on their part.
ReplyDelete@Karen: It is a fact that something similar happen to Jewish. Another fact is that without these teting many more people would be dead by now. I do believe that it is incorrect to test on people while withholding informaion, but the benefits have to be considered. The dieseases that were given to the Guatemalans now have some type medication to make the diesesase less destrcuctive. What about animals? Humans think that they are above animals, and all types are tested from dogs to monkeys? Aren't humans and animals both part of Earth? If animals can be treated so lowly then why not humans?
To Amy: I agree with you, the people that conducted the experiment really didn't have no clue what they were doing, and what they really didn't know is what consequences it would cause in the future. Your also right on how 60 years had to pass before getting a meaning less apology. How would you feel receiving an apology 60 years late?
ReplyDeleteTo Lena: Your right the U.S has no right to do such horrible experiments. It's also not right that they thought it was okay to do it just because Guatemala has problems such as prostitution. What also makes the act bad is that they were treated like "lab rats", no matter who someone is they are always a person and should be valued. Do you think it was right the U.S should do more then just apologize?
--Ms. Maenpaa i accidentally wrote a comment for the other blog; yesterday, the one about the our generation floundering. But, I'm writing the one for this one today >.< Sorry.
ReplyDeleteTo Maria Barajas:"the most abhorrent violation is that they were intentionally infected with pathogens without their understanding or consent" I agree with because, what is worse than being done something, you had no idea what it was for.
"The experiments that the united states national institute of health did is very inconsiderate, inhumane and irrational." The experiments were all of that because, for what? would you use someone elses precious life to study on something so gruesome. The scientist should of though about how the people would feel about getting used that way-and also, think about how would they [the scientist] would feel if someone did that to them.
"It first began with the native Americans and now people from central America." this means that America likes to abuse other less powerful countries, it is the bully of all bullies, for using people to research many STD's, and even though some of the people were not "good people" no one deserves to live with a diseases like that, especially because it was given to them in the way it was given to them.
To: Lizbeth Torrez: " Every human, no matter good or bad, deserves the right to their own body." I believe this is true because a person has the write to say no, it is their own body and no one else. I don't know why the United States feels like they can do whatever they want to everyone else and basically abuse countries with "less" power than there's."Even if they had agree who knows if the fully understood what the consequences were, the article states that the ones who were experimented were patients from a mental hospitable and soldiers" i agree with this statement because, maybe these people were bribed there freedom, money, or any other thing that they "wanted", it is not fair for a person who needs for example money, to buy shoes for there three children and food for everyday in the week, it is not fair to misuse a person when they have nothing else to turn to, and in the end finding out they are going to die gruesomely because of arrangement.
"For us to find out over 60 years later
is repulsing, because for the Guatemalan people it was years of silence in which they did not know what was wrong with their own body at the time.", America should be ashamed of there actions, and should help the people of Guatemala to fight through the disease, i believe they deserve it more than anyone, because not only did they cheated, but now the number of people infected is more than it would of ever been.
To: Amy A.
ReplyDeleteI agree and think that what the U.S. did to that country needs a punishment. How bad do you think the severity of the punishment should be?
To Alex G.
I agree with your standpoint when you said they violate human rights. What punishment would you give the U.S.?
The most disturbing violation that the U.S. had caused was the one where the Guatamalan people were decieved about wat was being done to them.In many situations,there are arguements that are started and fueled by anger and dissapointment because of the lies(deceit)being said or portrayed.For example,there are many relationships in which a member of the couple fails to give specific information(such as something done in the past that has not been brought up,it is qualified as a lie!).Most cases the male;and the woman becomes angry and dissapointed that the man has left out something betweer them.The male did not lie,but he did not tell her significant other which is equally bad.The U.S. has done the same with the Guatemalan people,they left out a piece of informantion and the Guatemalan people found out which angers the people but also is dissapointed because the U.S. is supposed to be different than the countries.
ReplyDeleteTo Amy A.:I agree with you completely,what the U.S. did was completely immoral and wrong.The most apphaling part about it is that the U.S were never going to intentionally apologize and tell the truth about the experiments that took place.A reasearcher had reported it to CNN news, it is never good to hear things from someone else when they are about you.For example,there are these two best friends that tell eachother everything.The 1st best friend hears from some stranger that the 2nd best friend has done something horrible such as drugs.The best friend that has done drugs(Doug) tells him(2nd best friend called Duug)that it is true and that Doug was never intentionally going to tell Duug that he had done drugs.You could see why that would be upsetting.The same goes for the U.S.,they never intended to tell Guatemala and that is the most upsetting part of all.Then the 60 year gap significantly affects the status and severity of the situation.United State's lack of maturity in admitting to their mistakes delayed them in speaking forth the truth.There is something that bothers somewhat,if the U.S. did not want anyone to know then why didn't they dispose of the evidence?
ReplyDeleteTo Caylen:I disagree with you Caylen.It is not the fact that the U.S. affected the people of Guatemala with pathogens,it is the fact that they kept it a secret for so long and discovering that they were never going to confess to their errors.The U.S. did not take into consideration what would have happened if anyone were to discover about the experiment and publically announce it,let alone to a news channel.The U.S. gets what it deserves and more.A question arises,how would the U.S. infect the people without the poeple being at the least curious or suspicious about it?