Author to discuss myths of Tuskegee at Nov. 8 Wilson lecture

Many believe that some of the men who participated in the infamous Tuskegee Experiment were given syphilis by the government.

Susan Reverby, Ph.D.

They were not, however, men in a similar study in Guatamala were indeed given the disease by American doctors, said Susan Reverby, Ph.D., a professor at Wellesley College, who will discuss these and other facets about the studies at Tuskegee and Guatamala at the Nov. 8 Wilson Lecture at UNMC.

“We will look at some of the key beliefs about these now infamous research studies in Tuskegee and Guatemala to ask if we can move away from a melodramatic understanding of what happened,” said Dr. Reverby, who has written two books on the Tuskegee Experiment. “I also will discuss why this is often difficult to do.”

Misinformation abounds

Another example of misinformation about the experiment is the idea that none of the participants received treatment for syphilis, Dr. Reverby said.

“I will focus on how some of the men did get treatment and why we do not know about this,” she said.

Full truth for full lessons

It’s important to get the accurate representation of history, Dr. Reverby said, to gain the full lessons of the experiences.

“When we think in melodramatic terms we believe we already know the story,” she said. “We cannot really identify with the stock characters because they aren’t like us. We need to imagine ourselves as both the researchers and the subjects/controls to learn from these events.”

Dr. Reverby’s seminar starts at noon in the Eppley Science Hall. Lunch will be provided to the first 60 in attendance.