- Tuskegee Experiments
- Philadelphia Experiments
- ....others?
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/07/1127406363/philadelphia-apologizes-experiments-black-inmates Philadelphia
apologizes for experiments on Black inmates October 7, 20225:43 AM ET THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Michael Bryant/AP PHILADELPHIA — The city of Philadelphia
issued an apology Thursday for the unethical medical experiments performed on
mostly Black inmates at its Holmesburg Prison from the 1950s through the
1970s. The move comes after community
activists and families of some of those inmates raised the need for a formal
apology. It also follows a string of apologies from various U.S. cities
over historically racist policies or wrongdoing in the wake of the
nationwide racial reckoning after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis
police officer. The city allowed University of
Pennsylvania researcher Dr. Albert Kligman to conduct the dermatological,
biochemical and pharmaceutical experiments that intentionally exposed about
300 inmates to viruses, fungus, asbestos and chemical agents including dioxin
— a component of Agent Orange. The vast majority of Kligman's experiments
were performed on Black men, many of whom were awaiting trial and trying to
save money for bail, and many of whom were illiterate, the city said. Kligman, who would go on to pioneer the
acne and wrinkle treatment Retin-A, died in 2010. Many of the former inmates
would have lifelong scars and health issues from the experiments. A group of
the inmates filed a lawsuit against the university and Kligman in 2000 that
was ultimately thrown out because of a statute of limitations. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in
the apology that the experiments exploited a vulnerable population and the
impact of that medical racism has extended for generations. "Without excuse, we formally and
officially extend a sincere apology to those who were subjected to this
inhumane and horrific abuse. We are also sorry it took far too long to hear
these words," Kenney wrote. Last year, the University of
Pennsylvania issued a formal apology and took Kligman's name off some
honorifics like an annual lecture series and professorship. The university
also directed research funds to fellows focused on dermatological issues in
people of color. |
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