The concept of power is analogous to the deceptive appearance of a rose. Although people are allured to the blossom due its silky petals and crimson color, much like they are attracted to power because of the opportunities it withholds, the blossom also contains thorns, representative of the corruption one can create by abusing their powers. Consequently, it is no surprise that those who hold great power often become corrupt because they utilize their powers for their own selfish desires. There is a great responsibility that is attributed to possessing power, and those who fail to use their influence with good intentions tend to fall victim to their own selfish needs. Meanwhile, powerlessness is far less corruptive than power. Although those …show more content…
In this experiment, researchers took advantage of the lack of medical knowledge that existed within the public. In particular, the Public Health Service conducted the experiment on 600 African American men in order to record the natural history of syphilis. Although the researchers told the men that they were being treated for “bad blood”, which is a term encompassing several illnesses including syphilis, fatigue, and anemia, they did not receive the proper treatment needed to cure their ailments. Men were inclined to participate in the experiment because they received free meals, free medical exams, and burial insurance in turn. However, despite the men consenting to the experiment, there is no proof that verifies that the men were properly informed about the study and its purpose. In fact, the men were not provided enough information to properly consent to the experiment. Even when the cure for syphilis was discovered in 1947, researchers did not offer the medication to their subjects. Consequently, researchers abused their powers by recruiting test subjects that were unaware of the real purpose of their study. In this scenario, the medical knowledge of the researchers gave them power and an unjust advantage over their ignorant subjects. Researchers proved their corruption when this study, originally projected to last only 6 months, lasted instead for 40
Power can be corrupted in various ways. Those with authority can abuse their power to hurt citizens. Others can use it for their own personal gain such as for riches and to become notorious. Although, the process of having power be corrupted can vary. Geoffrey Chaucer portrays the multiple ways of the corruption of power throughout The Canterbury Tales.
Power can turn people into liars and make them greedy for more power which might take away some people’s freedom The Crucible took place in Salem, Massachusetts 1692 innocent people were being falsely accused of doing Witchcraft. McCarthyism took place in the 50s Wheeling,West Virginia in the era influential celebrities in the entertainment industry were particularly targeted for being communist.
In the context of medical research, informed consent provides individuals with the opportunity to accept or decline involvement in research, and thereby adheres to their right to choose. Obtaining consent from donors is not limited to simply seeking permission, but involves explaining the nature and consequences of research in an honest and understandable manner. When this aspect of informed consent is ignored, unethical research ensues. For example, during the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments, US Public Health researchers studied the progression of syphilis in African American men, under the false pretense of curing their “bad blood”. Though a treatment of penicillin was available at the time, researchers idly observed as subjects died painful, preventable deaths.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study had lots of controversy over the 1900´s. The study happened in a racist and poor time period between 1932 and 1972. It included 600 African American men that were infected with Syphilis. It was conducted in rural and poor Tuskegee, Alabama. The test was to see if African American males responded to Syphilis differently than white males.
Around the 1900s, doctors’ experimentation on their patients that involved their consent had raised little concern. Between 1920 and 1930, Syphilis was a crucial health problem. Healthcare was offered to people who earned low incomes in the South. African Americans were normally low-income citizens in the South and they were not perceived equal to whites. They were prone to have more health problems.
A study known as "The Tuskegee Study" S. (2015, July 31) was conducted for forty years (U.S. Public Health, 2017), on the progression of untreated Syphilis in the African American population. It was believed that their bodies were inferior to whites and that the disease would act differently in their bodies. This author feels that the study was unnecessary, heartbreaking and unethical. The Belmont Report lists "respect for others, beneficence, and justice" (Protections, O. F.,2016) as the essentials of ethics.
The Tuskegee study of Untreated Syphilis began in 1932, mainly designed to determine the history of untreated latent syphilis on 600 African American men in Tuskegee, Alabama. 201 out of 600 men were non-syphilitic just unknowingly involved in the study as a control group This study is known to be “the most infamous biomedical research study in the U.S history”. Most of these men had never visited a doctor and they had no idea what illness they had. All of the men agreed to be a participant thinking they were being treated for “bad blood” and plus they were given free medical care and meals.
Another way the corruption of power is exemplified, is in books. In William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”, the character Jack is proven to show corruption of power. In the beginning of the story, Jack is innocent young boy who gradually becomes power hungry. When Ralph was elected as chief and it was clear that Jack wasn’t happy because he thought he was a better leader. Jack said, “I ought to be chief, because I’m chapter chorister and head boy.
The study would ultimately prove that everyone, no matter the color of their skin, is equal when it comes to the disease of syphilis. The intention behind manipulating the men was not for the greater good of society, but instead was for the greater good of Dr. Brodus and Miss Evers. Although the actions of Dr. Brodus and Miss Evers prove to be unethical, I also find the actions to be unprofessional. Miss Evers should have informed the men of the severity of the disease, as well as how the disease is passed from one individual to another. They failed to inform their patients of many of the risks that came along with the disease.
It has now been a quarter of a century, and yet the images and heartache that still evolve when the words "Tuskegee Syphilis Study" are brought up, still haunts people around the world and touches upon many professionals such as social workers, medical examiners, and so forth. Sometimes people hear about this disgusting human experiment in a highly visible way directed to the entire country as an example of what we as a country and people, in general, should not do. This occurred when the study first made national news in 1972, when President Clinton offered a formal apology, or when Hollywood actors star in a fictionalized television movie of the story. On the other hand the audience may become fainter: kept alive only by memories and stories told in the African American community, in queries that circulate over the world wide web and radio talk shows, or even in courses such as this one being taught by social workers, historians, sociologists, or bioethicists. This is neither the first nor the last unethical human experiment done under the human study for the medical purposes umbrella, basically stating it is ok to sacrifice a few people in the name of medical research.
This study was referred to as the “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis
. John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton once stated, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” However, the usage of power can be implemented positively or negatively, depending on the intentions of an individual. By definition, power is stated as the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. Characters from The Epic of Gilgamesh by Sin-Leqi-Unninni and Lysistrata by Aristophanes demonstrate that not all who wield power results in corruption.
Power can have the persuasive action in undoing the moral ethics of one’s character. This can be seen throughout history, such as World War II and proven by the actions of Napoleon in the allegory, Animal Farm, by George Orwell. As Lord Acton said “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In history what was viewed as a villain, is never the same as the perception. A leader does not begin wanting to do wrong, they start with the best intentions, but power is a tricky thing.
Power can be abused or exploited in any human interaction that could take place among family, school or any other segment of society. The abuse of power can alsoinfiltrate into politics or bureaucracy. Corruption of power is somehowrelated to character formation with which one displays a frailty. It is believed that a strong-willed person cannot be overwhelmed by his own truth. People who have power are less prone to consider and appreciate others’ opinions.
1.2 Power Definition Of Power Power is "The ability to effect the outcomes you want, and if necessary to change the behavior of others in order to make this happen" – Nye We can say that power is about a relationship whose strength and domain will vary with different contexts. Those with more power in a relationship are better placed to make and resist change. Empirical studies have shown that the more powerful are less likely to take on the perspective of others . Power is one of the most important thing to the politic. This is because politik is base on some form of power and its sources may be highly varied and complex .