Studies in Guatemala and Tuskegee: Syphilis

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It should be noted that syphilis studies in Tuskegee and Guatemala are some of the most inhumane studies that have ever been held in the world. On the one hand, these experiments, which lasted for several decades, brought suffering and deaths of many innocent people, but, on the other hand, they also allowed drawing certain useful conclusions for the future. The purpose of this paper is to provide arguments to prove that it is important to learn and talk about such experiments at present rather than to ignore and forget them.

Importance of the Two Studies for the Modernity

The USA is a multinational and multicultural country advanced in many areas including healthcare and medicine and science in general. However, experiments such as syphilis studies discussed in this paper show that the country is still on the way to overcoming intolerance, racial segregation, and social inequality. The discussion of these researches allows bringing the question or research ethics to the forefront (The Frightening Legacy of US Syphilis Experiments in Guatemala). In particular, people who participated in those scientific experiments were misled and misinformed about their health, and the research group observed how the participants suffered from the symptoms of the disease until death (Brandt 24). There are quite a few diseases and conditions that have not been researched enough. The experience gained during the studies in Tuskegee and Guatemala should be used to eliminate the possibility of unethical conduct in the future and ensure transparency in all the activities.

In addition, it is important to learn about the two studies to ensure that all social groups know their rights and have equal access to healthcare services despite their economic or another background. At present, not all people are provided with the basic healthcare services they need despite the fact that this is one of their fundamental rights (Brandt 27). Therefore, the discussion of syphilis experiments will allow tracking the work done on ensuring equal access to medical care. Moreover, it will help outline the directions in which the government and society should work to ensure all people get timely assistance when needed.

Furthermore, the two studies conducted are crucial for modern society from the sociological perspective. This experience should serve as a guarantee that contemporary studies observe the principles of confidentiality, objectivity, and ethics (Lamont 57). It is impossible to achieve equality in human rights if certain underprivileged groups of people are discriminated against either on an individual or institutional level. Moreover, it is essential to educate citizens about their rights and services available so that they know how to protect and take care of themselves. Raising awareness and health literacy of people, as well as providing them with the resources to sustain their well-being, are key to effective disease prevention.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that it is particularly important to learn and discuss the experiments in Guatemala and Tuskegee for both scientific groups and country citizens. Different forms of racism and discrimination are still frequently met in society, and the global community should strive for finding ways to eliminate them. An open dialogue about these experiments will help not only to reduce distrust of different population groups in modern medicine but also to increase their health literacy and prevent the spread of dangerous diseases in the future.

Works Cited

Brandt, Allan M. Racism and Research: The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The Hastings Center Report, vol. 8, no. 6, 1978, pp. 21-29.

The Frightening Legacy of US Syphilis Experiments in Guatemala. YouTube. Web.

Lamont, Christopher. Research Methods in International Relations. SAGE, 2015.

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