RE: "Ethically Impossible": Tuskegee Human Experiments Exported to Guatemala (1946-1948) [Part I]

Wow. As per usual you've managed to impress with a piece of thorough investigative splendor; thanks so much for bringing this dark episode of medical and scientific malpractice to the fore. With these kinds of episodes in our very recent history, is it surprising at all that so many people can not and do not trust their government when such trust would be invaluable, like in the case of a global pandemic for example? According to my very limited knowledge of the French language, "Terre Haute" translates to "High Ground"; well, man's ability to steep to the low level of the "Ethically Impossible" never seizes to amaze...

I think we all already knew about the experiments done on African Americans, not only the infecting with STD's, but the involuntary sterilizations as well; this however opens up a whole new level of blatant disregard to humanitarian principles. It's so infuriating that you had to conclude this very well written and documented article with the acknowledgement that once again none of the perpetrators were held accountable and that none of the victims were compensated in any shape, way or form; that little contrast you made at the end with the goings on at Nuremberg is brilliant and sobering...

Thanks again my friend; keep up the great work!

High praises! Thank you.
One of the things I like most about digging in the Wikileaks archive is that it continues to surprise me. I had no idea that there was a Tuskegee equivalent outside the US, it's shocking to learn about.

With these kinds of episodes in our very recent history, is it surprising at all that so many people can not and do not trust their government when such trust would be invaluable, like in the case of a global pandemic for example?

I'm glad you picked up on this. Even when reading this report on what happened 70 years ago we find that the highest levels of the medical field backed such experiments with, of course, the involvement of the military, we can't help but compare it to what's going on presently. It shows that our leaders are more than capable of disregarding human rights and scientific principles to pursue their objectives, often invoking phrases like 'the greater good'.

It's so infuriating that you had to conclude this very well written and documented article with the acknowledgement that once again none of the perpetrators were held accountable...

Agreed, it is infuriating to hear about this. There is a second part to this that I have put together that goes into some legal cases that have been launched in regards to the Guatemalan victims. So, I hope to get that out there soon.

Thanks for your comments!