The medical experimentation on prisoners: a look back at an ethical debate dating back a century

Abstract

Background. Historically, prisoners have been exploited for the benefit of states and medical-pharmaceutical institutions under various justifications. Aim. This review examines some facets of medical experimentation on prisoners (MEoP), considering the historical course of events, the politico-economic factors that motivated these practices, and the evolution of the jurisdiction in place. Methods. Narrative review. Results. The analysis highlights the complicit role of doctors who engaged in these practices as well as the involvement of states. The examples provided illustrate the extent of abuses that marked the Second-World-War and continued after its end. Despite legislative restrictions, countless ethical issues continue to fuel debates on the attributes of MEoP, such as those related to scientific publication or inducement through remuneration. Conclusion. Despite the implementation of various preventive measures in the form of laws and regulations, the exploitation of prisoners in medical research remains a major concern internationally because their multifactorial vulnerability makes them the preferred target of medical research investigators.