Guatemalans Sue US Over Syphilis Experiments

Guatemalans who were subjected to syphilis experiments in the 1940s in US have filed suit against the federal health officials seeking compensation for health problems they have suffered.

The lawsuit comes after shocking revelations that scientists who were studying the effect of penicillin in treating syphilis deliberately infected about 700 Guatemalan prisoners, mentally ill patients, soldiers and orphans without taking their consent. Although the Guatemalan government in 1940 had given permission for the tests, the subjects were unaware about it.

The Attorneys who represent the Guatemalans had requested the Obama administration for an out of court settlement. However they got no response and so they decided to file the lawsuit.


Source: Medindia