The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues--Roles and Responsibilities

The Guatemala studies conducted by Dr John Cutler were hidden from public view for 60 years.  After their discovery by historian Dr. Susan Reverby, an investigation of the studies was initiated by the US Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues.  The investigation included a review of all available documents from a variety of archival sources, public hearings, site visits, and deliberations on ethical issues and actions.  In addition, all of the clinical data obtained by Cutler and his colleagues were entered into a unified data set. This presentation will include an overview of the  Commission, the unique issues presented by this case, and a description of the investigative process.