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

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)

Needs be required for medical professionals

This should be required reading for *all* medical, pharmaceutical, and related research professionals in the US.

Several times I had to put the book down and breathe, because the history of abuse exerted on black Americans is just... no words.

And it continues to this day.

Not only that, but I was hoping—consciously hoping—there would be no mention of kids or babies. No such luck, to my great despair.

Must Read

This book is an absolute, “Must Read” for every single Individual, especially those who think everyone in the world is treated fairly. And for those who say, “I don’t see color”, this read will help them to open their eyes. What sad stories of women as medical experimental objectS. And children.... my goodness, the children. This book is REAL.

Required reading

This book brought me to tears, rage, and disbelief in opening my eyes to the abuses of the most trusted profession. I feel informed and motivated by this brilliant piece ending with a strong clear call to action. A very important read that should be mandatory for all doctors, historians, and scientists.

Must Read

A sad truth everyone should know about. This is why they kneel. If you're white, be brave and read this book.

Essential read if you want to know about America

This is a very hard read/listen, but it is essential for every American to read if you want to understand American history