Research Question: has the history of medical science been built on the foundation of unethical medical research/experimentation on African Americans?
Summary: for centuries Blacks have been used for medical research and experiments in order to drive white physicians career. In the South the ratio provided abundant opportunities for white physicians to become familiar with African bodies, and use those bodies in exploring the worlds 19th century medicine. The article goes about mentioning multiple doctors during this time that used African bodies to advance in medicine. Those mentioned were Francis Peyre Porcher, Julian John Chisolm and once again James Marion Sims. In medical history these men have been viewed as respective men because they are known for opening and starting medical associations and hospitals. But do we know how they got there? For these South Carolina physicians, the use and misuse of the bodies of enslaved African men, women, and children was common and socially and professionally acceptable. The author then goes to emphasize that it was Black bodies that many 19th century white American medical careers were built. The enslaved African women were distinguished contributors to the 19th century American medicine. Not only did they assist in Sims experimental surgery when others would not, but their own ill, malnourished, injured, and enslaved bodies were offered up to the advancement of science. Within this article I was able to find other things to look up in order to find other sources.
This source has surprised me because each book and article I read is a like another key each time unlocking something I had no idea was there. Making me lean more towards the fact that maybe medical science had been built off the backs of Blacks. Those who try to argue that it is not built off the backs of Blacks do not seem to have valid reasoning besides the fact that the period was different. But the question still remains, just because the time frame was different and the rights of individuals varied does it give those the right to mutilate the bodies of Blacks?
This source has surprised me because each book and article I read is a like another key each time unlocking something I had no idea was there. Making me lean more towards the fact that maybe medical science had been built off the backs of Blacks. Those who try to argue that it is not built off the backs of Blacks do not seem to have valid reasoning besides the fact that the period was different. But the question still remains, just because the time frame was different and the rights of individuals varied does it give those the right to mutilate the bodies of Blacks?
Goodson, Martia G. "Enslaved Africans and Doctors in South Carolina." Journal of the National Medical Association 95.3 ( 2003): 225-233. Print.
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