1. Make a review of the literature about the Tuskegee Study. Write an Argumentative Essay focusing on the ethical implications or ethical dilemmas of the study. State your position or arguments and support them with literature. 2. The Essay must have a minimum of 700 and a maximum of 800 words, with a minimum of three (3) professional references. 3. Use the APA style for citation and references (APA 7th edition) 4. Must contain cover and reference page. 5. To avoid plagiarism submit to Safe Assign.
Ethical Implications of the Tuskegee Study: An Argumentative Essay
Introduction
The Tuskegee Study was a notorious and unethical medical research conducted from 1932 to 1972 by the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). The study aimed to examine the natural progression of untreated syphilis in African American men. However, it violated multiple ethical principles and caused significant harm to its participants. This essay aims to critically review the literature surrounding the Tuskegee Study, highlighting the ethical implications and dilemmas it presented. By analyzing the literature, this essay will argue that the Tuskegee Study was a flagrant violation of ethical standards and serves as a cautionary tale in research ethics.
Background of the Tuskegee Study
The Tuskegee Study began in rural Macon County, Alabama, during a period when the treatment for syphilis was still evolving. Six hundred African American men participated, of which 399 had latent syphilis and 201 did not. Instead of informing the participants about their diagnosis and providing treatment, USPHS observed and withheld treatment to study the progression of syphilis (Brandt, 1978). The study was initially designed to last for six months but continued for 40 years, despite the availability of effective treatments starting in the 1940s (Jones, 1981). This prolonged observance and withholding of a known effective treatment are major ethical violations.
Ethical Implications
Informed Consent Violations
One of the most significant ethical violations in the Tuskegee Study was the lack of informed consent. The participants were not adequately informed about the nature of the study or its potential risks and benefits. They were not aware of the availability of effective treatment for syphilis, nor were they given the option to receive it. Instead, they were misled into believing they were receiving free medical care (Heller, 1973). The lack of informed consent undermines the principles of autonomy, respect for persons, and beneficence that form the foundation of research ethics.
Exploitation and Lack of Beneficence
The Tuskegee Study exemplifies exploitation of a vulnerable population. African American men living in rural Alabama had limited access to healthcare and were particularly susceptible to the charms of the USPHS physicians, who were regarded as trusted healthcare providers. These men were exploited as subjects of research, with their rights and well-being neglected for the sake of scientific curiosity (Freeland, 1995). This blatant disregard for beneficence, the obligation to do good for the participants, and the duty to protect their well-being undermine the ethical integrity of the study.
Unnecessary Harm and Maleficence
Another major ethical dilemma arose from the fact that the Tuskegee Study withheld appropriate treatment from participants, despite its availability. As a result, many participants suffered severe health consequences, including death, blindness, and other debilitating complications of untreated syphilis (Jones, 1981). The study’s continuation without providing known effective treatment violated the principle of maleficence, which mandates that researchers must not intentionally cause harm to their participants (Heller, 1973). The Tuskegee Study resulted in unnecessary suffering and long-term health consequences for its participants, with no regard for their well-being or dignity.
Racial Discrimination and Justice Violations
The Tuskegee Study exhibited a racial bias in its selection of African American men as subjects. This racial discrimination reflects a profound injustice, as it perpetuates disparities in healthcare and reinforces systemic racism (Brandt, 1978). The study’s continuation for four decades, despite the availability of treatment, exacerbates this injustice. The participants were denied access to life-saving treatment purely based on their race, further marginalizing an already vulnerable population (Freeland, 1995). This ethical violation highlights the importance of justice in research ethics and the need to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all participants.
Conclusion
The Tuskegee Study remains a lasting symbol of unethical conduct in research. Examining the literature surrounding the study reveals numerous ethical implications and dilemmas, including informed consent violations, exploitation, unnecessary harm, and racial discrimination. The study violated the fundamental principles of autonomy, respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. It serves as a reminder that ethical considerations must always take precedence in research and that the vilification of vulnerable populations must be prevented. The Tuskegee Study stands as a stark and tragic reminder of the consequences that arise when ethical standards are ignored or violated.