US Government's Experiments on the Hallucinogenic Drug
In the 1960s the US government conducted experiments on the hallucinogenic drug, LSD. Researchers did not inform research subjects that taking LSD would expose their gametes to possible damage. In addition, researchers used information from the research subjects' data forms to track individuals thought to be "subversive".
Answer the following questions-
1. To what extent did the government have an obligation to inform the research subjects of possible genetic damage to their future offspring? Where there any infractions of law or statutes? If so, what law or statute takes precedence?
2. When, if ever, should the information provided by research subjects be made available to interested agencies and/or authorities for nonmedical reasons? If so, is this practice ethical? What law or statutes takes precedence?
3. If the study involves a nontherapeutic intervention, would that make a difference as to what the researchers should do? Why or why not? If so, is this practice ethical?
4. Has the US government been involved in other experiments that may have caused injury to the participants? If so, what was the circumstances surrounding the experiment? Support your opinion with scholarly references.