Human Test Subjects
When acquiring scientific research pertaining to an area of interest, when does one cross unethical borders in the process of acquiring that desired research information? In the world of science and following the scientific method to prove a certain phenomenon, what are the jurisdictions set in stone to prevent unethical practices in conducting scientific research?
Imagine one moment you are in a car accident and are rushed to the hospital with injuries sustained during the accident. You get checked into your local hospital to receive treatment for the injuries you sustained. Upon, further examination, your doctor gives you your prognosis and states that you are in a good state of health and should recover in no time. The doctor leaves your room and little do you know that he is contemplating using you as a possible human test subject for radioactive plutonium injections. Unfortunately, unconsented human experiments have been conducted in the United States and funded by various U.S. government agencies. Such agencies include The United States Department of Defense and the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Shockingly, these organizations admitted that the United States government injected unknowing human subjects with severely toxic plutonium.
At the time of the injections, in 1945, The AEC was preparing to start the use of new weaponry designed from highly radioactive Plutonium. Before launching this new weapon, the AEC had to conduct a series of experiments on the effects of exposure to plutonium. These experiments were ironically designed for preserving the safety of the employees that would deal with harvesting large quantities of the hazardous material. Prior to testing on humans, scientists were perfectly aware of the negative effects associated with plutonium...