“ETHICALLY IMPOSSIBLE” STD Research in Guatemala from 1946-1948 
ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION FOR 
THE STUDY OF BIOETHICAL ISSUES 
The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues (the Commission) 
is an advisory panel of the nation s leaders in medicine, science, ethics, religion, 
law, and engineering. The Commission advises the President on bioethical issues 
arising from advances in biomedicine and related areas of science and technology. 
The Commission seeks to identify and promote policies and practices that 
ensure scientific research, health care delivery, and technological innovation are 
conducted in a socially and ethically responsible manner. 
For more information about the Commission, please see www.bioethics.gov. 
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