Clinton apologizes to Guatemalans abused in U.S. STD research

Secretary Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued an apology on Friday to the Guatemalas who were victims of unethical medical experiments by the United States from 1946 to 1948. During the studies, prisoners, soldiers, and mentally ill patients were infected with syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. In a joint statement, ...

Secretary Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued an apology on Friday to the Guatemalas who were victims of unethical medical experiments by the United States from 1946 to 1948. During the studies, prisoners, soldiers, and mentally ill patients were infected with syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Secretary Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued an apology on Friday to the Guatemalas who were victims of unethical medical experiments by the United States from 1946 to 1948. During the studies, prisoners, soldiers, and mentally ill patients were infected with syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In a joint statement, Clinton and Sebelius said:

Although these events occurred more than 64 years ago, we are outraged that such reprehensible research could have occurred under the guise of public health. We deeply regret that it happened, and we apologize to all the individuals who were affected by such abhorrent research practices. The conduct exhibited during the study does not represent the values of the United States, or our commitment to human dignity and great respect for the people of Guatemala.

To reiterate that the United States today is committed to ensuring that medical studies on humans are carried out under "exacting" ethical and legal requirements, the two secretaries stated:

[W]e are launching a thorough investigation into the specifics of this case from 1946. In addition, through the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues we are also convening a body of international experts to review and report on the most effective methods to ensure that all human medical research conducted around the globe today meets rigorous ethical standards.

Normally, the United States doesn’t like to apologize for anything, but based on what’s known about this case, a genuine apology to the individual victims and their families is deserved.

Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009 to 2016 and was an FP assistant editor from 2007 to 2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP

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