Ethics gone awry: The US Public Health Service studies in Guatemala; 1946-1948

摘要

In October 2010, the public became aware of a massive clinical research enterprise on sexually transmitted infections, conducted in Guatemala during 1946-1948. As the story unfolded it became very clear that the conduct of the studies was clouded by egregious ethical violations. The revelations prompted an official apology by the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to the Government of Guatemala, and a subsequent investigation by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, resulting in a final report that was issued in September 2011.