Acres of Skin

From WikiMD.com - Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia


Cover of Acres of Skin

Acres of Skin is a book by Allen M. Hornblum that explores the history of unethical medical experimentation on prisoners in the United States, particularly focusing on the Holmesburg Prison experiments conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The book was published in 1998 and has since been a significant work in the field of medical ethics and human rights.

Background[edit | edit source]

The title Acres of Skin is derived from a phrase used by Dr. Albert Kligman, a dermatologist who conducted numerous experiments on inmates at Holmesburg Prison. Kligman reportedly referred to the prisoners' skin as "acres of skin," highlighting the dehumanizing view of the inmates as mere subjects for experimentation.

Holmesburg Prison Experiments[edit | edit source]

Holmesburg Prison, where the experiments took place

The Holmesburg Prison experiments took place from the 1950s to the 1970s. These experiments were primarily dermatological and involved testing various substances on the skin of inmates. The substances included cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even chemical warfare agents.

Ethical Concerns[edit | edit source]

The experiments at Holmesburg raised significant ethical concerns. The inmates were often not fully informed about the nature of the experiments or the potential risks involved. Many of the subjects were from marginalized backgrounds, raising issues of informed consent and exploitation.

Impact and Legacy[edit | edit source]

Acres of Skin brought widespread attention to the unethical practices in medical research involving prisoners. The book has been influential in discussions about medical ethics, leading to increased scrutiny of research practices and the development of stricter ethical guidelines.

Related pages[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP1 injections from $125

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program NYC and a clinic to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our W8MD's physician supervised medical weight loss centers in NYC provides expert medical guidance, and offers telemedicine options for convenience.

Why choose W8MD?

Book Your Appointment

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss, and Philadelphia medical weight loss Call (718)946-5500 for NY and 215 676 2334 for PA

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's NYC physician weight loss.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available. Call 718 946 5500.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD