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by neumann_alfred 4918 days ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_syphilis_experiment

40 years! I will never wrap my brain around this one. And no, I don't mean to say "that's just as bad as the Nazis". But still. 40 years. So much for rather hideous crap being impossible to keep secret, right? I can't help but think, if something like this can stay secret for 40 years, real horrid geopolitical stuff involving sending people to war based on deception, and pluging a country into debt to fleece them, would stay secret for much longer EZ PZ. Which doesn't prove anything of course, other than that "something like this is impossible to keep secret" seems to be wishful thinking.
2 comments
noibl 4918 days ago
While the Tuskegee experiment followed the natural progression of syphilis in those already infected, in Guatemala [US Public Health Service] doctors deliberately infected healthy people (having just defeated the Nazis).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala_syphilis_experiment

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eitland 4917 days ago
speaking of nazis: I guess they would have been delighted to see the way for example people with Down's syndrome get removed before they are even born. And the way it is done voluntarily. Same disrespect, new wrapping. Instead of "to the greater good of the people" it is now "their parents right to decide."

(Startup lesson: Don't underestimate marketing. It might be the difference between "hero" and "villain".)

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