“ETHICALLY IMPOSSIBLE” STD Research in Guatemala from 1946-1948 
The issue of the ethical and legal permissibility of intentionally exposing 
humans to STDs remained unsettled. Dr. O.H. Perry Pepper, Chairman 
of the NRC Committee on Medicine, 80 asked members about the experi- 
ment. Dr. James E. Paullin, President of the American Medical Association 81 
and one of the committee members, argued that eventually the details of the 
experiment would “fall in the hands of a very unscrupulous lawyer” and the 
waivers signed by the subjects would not constitute sufficient legal protec- 
tion for those involved. 82 As a result, he voted not to approve the experiment, 
despite the fact that he supported its scientific value. Another member that 
endorsed the scientific merit of the experiments, Dr. Arthur Bloomfield, ques- 
tioned “the public relations” aspect of the research. 83 
With NRC members raising doubts about the work, Dr. Moore met in 
January 1943 with another group that included CMR head Richards and 
OSRD attorney James B. Donovan. 84 At that conference, Dr. Richards 
reported that he had discussed the matter with Dr. Vannevar Bush, OSRD 
Director, who also questioned the legality of the experiments and the poten- 
tial for adverse public reaction. 85 Among other issues, New York State law 
constraints raised concerns about the original plan to proceed in a state 
prison. 86 Donovan suggested the possibility of using federal prisoners, Army 
prisoners, or conscientious objectors as an alternative. 87 The group agreed that 
if OSRD approved the experiments on scientific grounds, it would contact the 
U.S. Solicitor General to seek additional legal advice. 88 
With the groundwork thus laid, Dr. Moore’s subcommittee finalized a 
proposal for OSRD in February 1943. The proposal emphasized the impor- 
tance of the research to the war effort and outlined the prophylactic methods 
then used in the U.S. Armed Forces. 89 The subcommittee noted that the 
chemical prophylaxis administered at the time was highly unsatisfactory 
for the men 90 because it was “embarrassing, revelatory to fellow soldiers and 
sailors, mildly uncomfortable, time-consuming, and messy.” 91 
The subcommittee recommended that the experiments be conducted in men 
in state prisons and city jails for several reasons. 92 First, they were isolated 
from women. The subcommittee emphasized that the volunteers needed to 
live “under conditions which prevent sexual intercourse for approximately 
6 months.” 93 In addition, prisoners would be under medical supervision for 
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