ETHICALLY IMPOSSIBLE” STD Research in Guatemala from 1946-1948 
When World War II began, scientists, physicians, and public health officials 
considered the steps needed to address STDs occurring in troops in wartime. 
Dr. Joseph Earle Moore, Chairman of the NRC 47 Subcommittee on 
Venereal Diseases, wrote that he expected, 
“approximately 350,000 fresh infections 
with gonorrhea [in the Armed Forces], 
[which] will account for 7,000,000 lost man 
days per year, the equivalent of putting out 
of action for a full year the entire strength of 
two full armored divisions or of ten aircraft 
carriers.” 48 Dr. Moore estimated that the 
cost of treating the anticipated infections 
would be $34 million (approximately $440 
million today, adjusted for inflation). 49 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s newly 
established Office of Scientific Research and 
Development (OSRD) (see Figure 1) and 
its Committee on Medical Research (CMR) 50 provided STD researchers an 
unprecedented opportunity to mobilize federal funds to mitigate these threats. 51 
The OSRD served “to initiate and support a research program [to] utilize the 
scientific personnel and resources of the nation” and “to aid and coordinate 
the research activities carried on by other governmental Departments and 
Agencies.” 52 Within the Office, the CMR’s primary charge was to focus on 
“medical problems affecting 
national defense.” 53 Through these 
new entities, the U.S. government 
substantially increased the amount 
of money available for medical 
research in a short period of time. 54 
In addition to chairing the NRC 
Subcommittee on Venereal 
Diseases (see Figure 2), Dr. Moore 
directed the Venereal Disease 
Division at Johns Flopkins Univer- 
sity and served as advisor to the 
Above and Above Right: Venereal Disease Posters 
From the National Library of Medicine 
.s///fAi7fs and ponorr/iea 
Avoid exposure 
Avoid pickups and prostitutes 
If exposed, use prophylaxis 
If infected, see a medical officer 
12 
