Medical Apartheid

The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present

By: Harriet A. Washington

Narrated by: Ron Butler

Length: 19 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Medical Apartheid is the first and only comprehensive history of medical experimentation on African Americans. Starting with the earliest encounters between black Americans and Western medical researchers and the racist pseudoscience that resulted, it details the ways both slaves and freedmen were used in hospitals for experiments conducted without their knowledge - a tradition that continues today within some black populations. It reveals how blacks have historically been prey to grave robbing as well as unauthorized autopsies and dissections. Moving into the 20th century, it shows how the pseudoscience of eugenics and social Darwinism were used to justify experimental exploitation and shoddy medical treatment of blacks.

The product of years of prodigious research into medical journals and experimental reports long undisturbed, Medical Apartheid reveals the hidden underbelly of scientific research and makes possible, for the first time, an understanding of the roots of the African American health deficit.

©2006 Harriet A. Washington (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[C]ompulsively readable." ( Publishers Weekly)

Sobering... but necessary.

When I listened to this book, I immediately had a better understanding of my father's hesitancy to go to the doctor during his last 20 years of life. Chock full of FACTS from medical and government records and reports, as well as interviews with survivors, this book hits you in the face with deliberate atrocious acts against people of color by those sworn to "First do no harm"... and covered up by those sworn to protect and serve. It exposes greed by the many, action by very few, inaction by many in the justice system, and malice by many in the legislative system. It is an EXCELLENT read. Very sad and very sobering, but speaks volumes to what can happen when a human being does not value the life of another.

Author composed this book so that it is interesting.

I loved the way the book was composed, because it made for interesting reading .... Stuck to her main goal of encouraging African American people to research medical studies and to join them if deemed worthy. Jam-packed with eye- opening human experimentation that should never have been done on anyone. Although I think there is still human experimentation going on that should not be going on.

Wow

Every black person should read this. Great example of racism white supremacy how it still reigns present day.Question any medical procedure no matter how prestigious your doctor is

not for light reading

This book was a challenge. Not because it was hard to follow, but because of the information that's provided. Discovering true American history is daunting. But well worth the journey.

Knowledge is Power

I am an American with African, European and some other flavors thrown in. I was sickened and brought to tears to learn how my people were treated and how human beings are pure evil. You are so right about educating ourselves on what is needed to survive.

An important book

What a rich read, full of important facts and excellent contextual framing. As a public health professional, I was surprised to find out how much of the information in this book was omitted from my education. I feel as though his book should be an essential read for all public health and clinical professionals. Without understanding the history, there is no path forward.

wow!

the material in this book was mind-blowing. this should be a medical ethics reading requirement for health care professionals when going through their training program.

MEDICAL APARTHEID

Awesome! Well written, comprehensive and informative. The narration is great. We need this information. Well done!

Eye Open but still closed

If you could sum up Medical Apartheid in three words, what would they be?

Don't believe professionals.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

People were afraid to follow their instincts because they wanted to fitting and finally get noticed. The DNA alterations done to father's and mother's are now affecting generations.

Which scene was your favorite?

People realizing they were poppets after each situation was described.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Cutting and removing reproductive lives and the woman who cannot forgive herself for not believing and trusting her husbands felling's.

Any additional comments?

I believe this type of research is being conducted today with the food and personal care products we us. After a well one will visit a healthcare professional to learn what you ate for many years on products is now causing many abnormalities.

An absolute must read!

This book opened my eyes even wider in stories I thought I knew, horrified me with new stories, and actually pointed out two "experiments" that my father and were likely participants. This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to fully appreciate the horrors our people have endured.