Acres of Skin

Acres of Skin is a seminal work that delves into the controversial and ethically fraught history of human experimentation in the United States, particularly focusing on the events that took place at the Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Authored by Allen M. Hornblum, the book was first published in 1998 and has since been a critical piece in understanding the complexities and moral dilemmas surrounding medical research on human subjects without their informed consent.

Overview

Acres of Skin meticulously documents the experiments conducted on inmates at Holmesburg Prison from the early 1950s through the 1970s. These experiments, often carried out by esteemed dermatologist Albert M. Kligman in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and various pharmaceutical companies, involved testing a wide range of substances, including cosmetics, dioxin, and even radioactive isotopes. The inmates were paid small sums for their participation, but many were not fully informed of the potential risks and consequences of the experiments.

Ethical Implications

The book raises significant ethical questions about the use of prisoners as research subjects. It highlights the lack of informed consent and the exploitation of a vulnerable population for scientific gain. The revelations in Acres of Skin contributed to a broader discourse on the ethics of medical research and played a role in the development of stricter regulations governing human experimentation.

Impact and Legacy

Following the publication of Acres of Skin, there was increased public and academic interest in the ethics of human experimentation. The book has been cited in numerous scholarly articles and has been a key text in discussions about the need for reform in research ethics. It also contributed to the establishment of more rigorous consent processes for participants in medical research.

Controversies

The book has not been without its critics, some of whom have questioned the extent to which the prisoners were truly uninformed or unwilling participants. Others have pointed to the benefits of the research conducted. However, the consensus remains that the experiments conducted at Holmesburg Prison represent a dark chapter in the history of medical research.

See Also

• Human experimentation in the United States
• Ethics in medical research
• Informed consent
• Albert M. Kligman
• University of Pennsylvania