Dr. Susan Reverby, an internationally renowned medical historian from Wellesley College, discusses one of the worst breaches of medical ethics in U.S. history. Between 1946 and 1948, the U.S. Public Health Service deliberately inoculated hundreds of people in Guatemala with a sexually transmitted disease.

These inoculations were conducted as part of a medical experiment. Dr. Reverby’s research led to a response from both the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It also led to an historic apology from President Obama to President Colom of Guatemala. This segment was taped on May 3, 2011 at a special symposium on bioethics at Lehman College.

40 Minutes 43 Seconds