ASSIGNMENT 3: TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS STUDY: ETHICAL REFLECTIONS IN HUMAN SERVICES
Assignment Description:
This assignment will guide you through a critical analysis of one of the most notorious violations of research ethics in U.S. history: the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. After watching two short documentaries, you will write a reflective essay that examines the ethical, racial, and systemic failures of the study, while applying principles from Chapter 6: Confidentiality – Ethical and Legal Issues.
Required Videos:
Please view both videos before beginning your paper:
- Voices of the Tuskegee Study
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e5VfgsGp1kLinks to an external site. - The Tuskegee Experiment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl4yDMJhpAMLinks to an external site.
Assignment Instructions:
Using APA 7th edition formatting, write a 750–1000 word essay that addresses the following questions in a clear, integrated format. Do not list and answer the questions—organize your paper using paragraphs and transitional sentences.
Content Guidelines:
- Summary of the Study
Briefly summarize the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. What was the study’s stated goal, and what actually happened to the participants? - Ethical Principles Violated
Discuss how the study failed to uphold fundamental ethical standards, focusing on:
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Disclosure of results
- Ethical Recommendations
What could have been done to conduct the research ethically (if at all)? Be sure to address:
- Informed consent and participant autonomy
- Confidentiality and privacy safeguards
- Avoiding physical/mental distress
- Responsible sponsored research practices
- Transparent results reporting
- Advocacy and protection for



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