The orthodox view considered by many in today’s society is that this inhumane form of “torture” was a major turning point in the history of medical ethics. This is because it laid the platform for many newly discovered experiments that could be used to help benefit us in certain matters today. However, don’t let this distract you from the fact that this dark and gruesome piece of history is remembered as beneficial for medical research. Instead, many refer to this sensitive topic as “pure torture” towards the victims who were primarily of Jewish descent. The Nazis were anti-semantic which led to these experiments. After the war, the offenders of these crimes were sentenced to the harsh penalties they deserved. Nazi human medical experimentation is still globally known today as one of the lowest acts of mankind.
Some life meant very little to the Nazis. The anti-semantic views the Nazis had led to packed concentration camps. The Nazis believed that the life of an inmate wasn’t worth the paperwork to kill them. Their view was that they could reduce these tens of thousands of prisoners to lab rats. Although all of the reasons for human experimentation are unknown, we do however know there were 26 different experiments conducted. The purposes for these experiments were based around three categories. To gather research information, eugenics and or genocide. German doctors conducted many experiments to try and find a solution to hypothermia. According to both Elizabeth S. Dyl and Dr Thom Thibeault from OpenSUIC, “This information is the most sought-after data because these experiments cannot be replicated, and hypothermia is still a very large issue today.” Many historians are fore using this research as it’s the first real insight we have to “curing” hypothermia. However, many people argue that using this data is hurtful towards the families of these prisoners and that it is creating a false impression that this inhumane act was acceptable. Similar experiments to this involving boiling water were also conducted. A primary source quote from a Jews perspective on this form of “torture” is from a Jewish lady known as Ms G. She stated, “Each day I was submerged in hot water. Whenever I tried to put my head out of the water in order to breathe I was forced back into the water by Dr. Josef Mengele’s stick. He was enjoying himself. This lasted for 10 minutes. I was immediately afterwards put into cold water and the same procedure was repeated.” Regardless of how relentless and gruesome these experiments were, human experimentation has been a major controversial topic in today’s advancing medical field. The orthodox view can be considered that this form of torture was beneficial to creating a turning point for medical ethics today.
As we look back to the dark shadowing days of human experimentation, we can conclude that there were many negative consequences for both the prisoners, and the 23 German doctors. As part of trying to find how Germany, one of the most scientifically sophisticated and humanistic cultures had become so perverted, a military tribunal was established as a corollary to the 13 Nuremberg trials. 23 medical doctors were tried for crimes against humanity. These consequences created long term change as it paved the footpath to solving the issues relating to informed consent today. As stated by history.com staff, “in the end, the international tribunal found all but three defendants guilty. Twelve were sentenced to death… and the rest were given prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life behind bars. Ten of the condemned were executed by hanging on October 16, 1946.” Prior to the lead up of these events, Hitler committed suicide along with his ‘designated successor’ and the head of the ‘Luftwaffe’. This primary source from a Jews perspective is useful to prove how terrified the Jews were. He states, “These Nazi crimes were calculated, malignant and so devastating that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive their being repeated…” these consequences can be considered a turning point for informed consent in today’s advancing medical field. These penalties have laid a platform that makes us refuse disobeying code of conduct rules as we know the harsh consequences that apply.
Many survivors of the holocaust and victims of human experimentation are still alive today. As you can imagine, these survivors have suffered from many mental issues as a result of these horrific events. These series of events are still remembered today as the lowest acts of mankind. January 27 marks holocaust Remembrance Day, an international day of commemoration for the victims of the Nazi genocide that resulted in the death of six million people. Inge Deutschkron is a Jewish author who survived the tortures and Holocaust. She stated, “our freedom was taken from us piece by piece… little by little, we had to give up everything we had.” The orthodox view concludes that this event in history will always be remembered as an unforgivable event. However, Nazi human experimentation is also remembered today as a turning point that has led to stronger consent rules surrounding medical procedures.
Nazi human medical experimentation was a major turning point for medical ethics in today’s society. There has been proven research that suggests that using the information from these human experimentations is beneficial to today’s advancing medical industry. Some would argue that human experimentation gathered hard facts that contributed to the medical industry while others believe that this was just another way the Nazis could torture the Jews. It is referred to as “pure torture”. The key things to remember is whether or not anyone benefited from these experiments, the repercussions of these inhumane events and what the Nazis were trying to achieve. Listen closely, what information have you gathered to help you conclude whether this is ethical data to use or if this is “pure torture”.