John Hopkins lawsuit: Almost 800 sue university after victims were unknowingly infected with syphilis in US Government experiment

[Geee]

UK Independent:

Almost 800 people have filed a $1 billion (£676 million) suit against the John Hopkins University after hundreds were unwittingly infected with syphilis, gonorrhoea and other infections as part of study into sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) conducted by the US Government more than 65 years ago.

 

The former research subjects were infected in Guatemala as part of a study looking at ways of preventing STDs spreading. A panel of the National Research Council, which was responsible for approving federal funding for the study, was chaired by a John Hopkins doctor.

 

The law suit filed by the participants alleges that the university had "substantial influence" over the studies by controlling some panels that advised the federal government on how to spend research funds.