The Participants
How They Were Chosen
For the study, Dr. Clark wanted men with latent syphilis, between the ages of twenty-five and sixty. There was difficulty in originally getting men to participate, because when calling for men over 25, no one showed, assuming they were going to be drafted. Therefore, they had to test a lot of random women and ages they didn't want in order to get the specific sample that they wanted. The participants were mostly illiterate, either sharecroppers or tenant farmers, believing in the idea of 'bad blood.' This was the term they associated with syphilis, and it was because they were told they would be treated for 'bad blood' that they willingly participated. Without the promise of therapy and medication, many of the men would not have cooperated.
For the study, Dr. Clark wanted men with latent syphilis, between the ages of twenty-five and sixty. There was difficulty in originally getting men to participate, because when calling for men over 25, no one showed, assuming they were going to be drafted. Therefore, they had to test a lot of random women and ages they didn't want in order to get the specific sample that they wanted. The participants were mostly illiterate, either sharecroppers or tenant farmers, believing in the idea of 'bad blood.' This was the term they associated with syphilis, and it was because they were told they would be treated for 'bad blood' that they willingly participated. Without the promise of therapy and medication, many of the men would not have cooperated.
What They Were Told
As stated above, the participants were told they were going to be treated for bad blood. They believed that this meant actual treatment, and that they would finally get rid of their syphilis. However, the experiment did not plan on ever going through with actual treatment, rather wanting to study the effects and watch the progression of the syphilis. The propaganda given to the men in Macon County, things like "This is your last chance for special treatment," was so deceptive and cruel, using persuasion just to get the men's cooperation. African Americans refusing to trust the government today, as well as medical professions who try and enroll them in studies, is very understandable when looking at the way they tried to recruit during the experiment. Today, there is still a fear that the information given is false, and that they are being taken advantage of by their own people. The main goal of researchers today, who are trying to bridge the gap between African Americans and research studies, is creating a very in depth, explanatory informed consent form. Through heavy details and explanations, they are hoping to create a better way for African Americans to feel comfortable and trusting of the idea of research.
As stated above, the participants were told they were going to be treated for bad blood. They believed that this meant actual treatment, and that they would finally get rid of their syphilis. However, the experiment did not plan on ever going through with actual treatment, rather wanting to study the effects and watch the progression of the syphilis. The propaganda given to the men in Macon County, things like "This is your last chance for special treatment," was so deceptive and cruel, using persuasion just to get the men's cooperation. African Americans refusing to trust the government today, as well as medical professions who try and enroll them in studies, is very understandable when looking at the way they tried to recruit during the experiment. Today, there is still a fear that the information given is false, and that they are being taken advantage of by their own people. The main goal of researchers today, who are trying to bridge the gap between African Americans and research studies, is creating a very in depth, explanatory informed consent form. Through heavy details and explanations, they are hoping to create a better way for African Americans to feel comfortable and trusting of the idea of research.