Is this considered a terrorism act?

U.S. government medical researchers intentionally infected hundreds of people in Guatemala, including institutionalized mental patients, with gonorrhea and syphilis without their knowledge or permission more than 60 years ago.

Many of those infected were encouraged to pass the infection onto others as part of the study.

About one third of those who were infected never got adequate treatment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39456324/ns/health-sexual_health/

msnbc

do you think whomever had themselves and/or loved ones subjected to such cruelty would eventually forgive & understand it's not the American society whom they should blame?

And then you wonder why everyone hates America...Cataclism

A fraction of the international community =/= everyone

on topic: what baconbits and jimmyjammer said

When I read things of this sort and the Tuskeegee experiments, I am reminded of the Nazi Angel of Death doctor who experimented on twins. These medical "professionals" deserve to be put into their own studies (if they aren't dead, that is, which they most likely are).

Not very surprising, but I don't think terrorism is the right term, because for as far I know they didn't do this for political purposes, but rather their own twisted scientific gains. It's still sick, but I think the proper term would be a crime against humanity.

When it is government funded, its not "terrorism" its "for freedom."

Honestly, if people really have a problem with this, then they should probably stop using modern treatments for those STI's... because they probably were in some way helped in creation by this research. Much like a lot of modern medicine was based on research stolen from the Nazi's.

And then you wonder why everyone hates America...Cataclism

"I do not understand the squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favour of using poisonous gas against uncivilised tribes."

-Winston Churchill

Times were much different back then and we have apologized for our part in the experiments.

No, terrorism is a philosophy of terror as well as a practice of terror. What they did was irresponsible.Who would be dumb enough to let someone inject them? If they had an adequate treatment or cure they wouldn't be exposing people to it unless they weretesting it.People volunteered to be guinea pigs assuming that these scientists were gods. Didn't it occur to anyone that they may not be able to treat or cure it? AND if the only thing they could give me would be treatments I wouldn't want to be exposed.

Apparently enough people are dumb enough to facilitate thisbrand of stupidity. I guess they assume scientist and doctors don't make mistakes, they're never wrong. I guess some researchers don't realize how reckless they are. I guess this just proves what you are to strangers. A guinea pig, an expendable nobody. A patient is just a subject.

No, terrorism is a philosophy of terror as well as a practice of terror. What they did was irresponsible.Who would be dumb enough to let someone inject them? If they had an adequate treatment or cure they wouldn't be exposing people to it unless they weretesting it.People volunteered to be guinea pigs assuming that these scientists were gods. Didn't it occur to anyone that they may not be able to treat or cure it? AND if the only thing they could give me would be treatments I wouldn't want to be exposed.

Apparently enough people are dumb enough to facilitate thisbrand of stupidity. I guess they assume scientist and doctors don't make mistakes, they're never wrong. I guess some researchers don't realize how reckless they are. I guess this just proves what you are to strangers. A guinea pig, an expendable nobody. A patient is just a subject.

MagnumPI

I wouldn't say it's terrorism. But it is what many people call a "crime against humanity". Quite sad. :(

[QUOTE="MagnumPI"]

No, terrorism is a philosophy of terror as well as a practice of terror. What they did was irresponsible.Who would be dumb enough to let someone inject them? If they had an adequate treatment or cure they wouldn't be exposing people to it unless they weretesting it.People volunteered to be guinea pigs assuming that these scientists were gods. Didn't it occur to anyone that they may not be able to treat or cure it? AND if the only thing they could give me would be treatments I wouldn't want to be exposed.

Apparently enough people are dumb enough to facilitate thisbrand of stupidity. I guess they assume scientist and doctors don't make mistakes, they're never wrong. I guess some researchers don't realize how reckless they are. I guess this just proves what you are to strangers. A guinea pig, an expendable nobody. A patient is just a subject.

Mystery_Writer

Terrorism? Not quite.

If those responsible are to be charged for it (which they really should be), it would probably be for 'Crimes Against Humanity'.

"EU Member States have agreed to regard terrorist acts as those which aim to intimidate populations, compel states to comply with the perpetrators' demands, and/or destabilise or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organisation." - Rob Wainwright, Europol

It's deplorable, but it certainly doesn't fall into the category of 'terrorism'.

the only difference between now and then is you actually get paid for human drug testing. If the study did not happen we wold not have a cure. Just like the Aids epedemic you reallly think we are over there helping we just give them drugs to take to see what works and does not work and we slape the label of Humanitarion Aid on it and everyone thinks we are helping them its just drug corporations doing trial and error. Thats my theory though dont hate.