The Case of the Tuskegee: Syphillis Study

The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Name
Institutional affiliation
The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
The Tuskegee syphilis study was conducted with the aim of finding out the spread of untreated syphilis in urban centers and how it could be rectified. The study mostly required the affected ones to be test subjects. Participants in the study consisted of 600 residents from Alabama, most of whom were black men. The US Public Health Service (USPHS) performed studies in the rural southern area of Alabama to find out the extent of the spread of syphilis, among African Americans, and explore the possibilities of mass treatment. This paper will present the findings and results of the experiment, conclusions made in the study, and consequences of the study.
According to Brandt (1978, p.293 paragraph 1), the results of the Tuskegee syphilis study revealed that the study of syphilis was unjustified, and therapy was necessary for patients with the disease. Notwithstanding, the results also confirmed that penicillin was an adequate treatment for people with the infection. On the other hand, those who engaged in the study were subjected to worsening economic, social, and health conditions. What stands out from the study is the number of deaths, and the health effects brought about by the study. Brandt (1978, p.291 paragraph 2) points out that more than a hundred people perished because of advanced lesions of the disease. The researchers incentivized blacks with syphilis to continue with the research mentioning that they would provide medical assistance, which never happened.
The Tuskegee syphilis study had its results and implications. The study was highly criticized at the time it was performed; the criticism mainly rooted from misunderstanding the study. It is important to note that the research was helpful as it helped researchers to find ...