Did The Tuskegee Study As It Come To Be Either Deadly Or A Deception?

1. The Tuskegee study, as it came to be called, did not start out to be either deadly or a deception. State how the project actually began, and describe the events that led to its becoming a “deadly deception.” Initially, The Tuskegee study began when researchers noted a high prevalence of syphilis in the south, with an “epidemic” rated noted in Macon county. The documentary notes that there was mounting public health concern for the African American population because “germs know no color lines”. In other words, they had to care for the blacks or they would infect the whites. Government doctors arrived in Macon county with a plan to diagnose and treat individuals with syphilis (up to 10,000). Unfortunately, they underestimated the cost
Macon county was chosen because it was “a natural laboratory” whose residents were of low intelligence, leading promiscuous lifestyles, and who were indifferent to treatment. Early in the project, the PHS enlisted the support of the Tuskegee Institute. Since the Tuskegee Institute had a history of service to local African Americans, its participation insured a smooth execution of the experiment. In return, Tuskegee Institute received money, training for its interns, and employment for its nurses. In addition, the PHS recruited black church leaders, community leaders, and plantation owners to encourage participation. At the end of the 6- months, scientists were intrigued by the fact that the disease progressed as it did in whites and then proposed what we know now as the open ended 40+ year observational study of the
The video portrays two nurses, Eunice Rivers, and Mary Harper. Describe their roles in relationship to the study. Evaluate their behavior by today’s standards of practice.
Eunice Rivers
Eunice Rivers was an African-American nurse the USPHS hired to recruit and keep participants in the study while they went untreated for four decades. She was known for assisting in “roadside round-ups” gathering the participants for the study for their monthly/ annual visits with scientists operating the study. Because she was African-American herself, Ms. Rivers used her standing in the community to gain the participants’ trust. Additionally, she acted as a liaison between DC and Tuskegee. Behavior by today’s standards: As healthcare providers, and moreover in the nursing profession specifically, we serve as our patients’ biggest advocates. Ms. Rivers’ actions, or lack thereof were deceitful and self-serving. Seemingly, Ms. Rivers withheld treatments and promoted false information knowing it was not in the patients’ best interests. Rather than advocating for her patients’ safety and health she assisted scientists in maintaining the lies and went as far as to inhibit patients from receiving treatment. From my standpoint, she blatantly disregarded “do no harm”. This is obviously counterintuitive to nursing standards of