Sentenced to Science: One Black Man's Story of Imprisonment in America

by Allen M. Hornblum

From 1951 until 1974, Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia was the site of thousands of experiments on prisoners conducted by researchers under the direction of University of Pennsylvania dermatologist Albert M. Kligman. While most of the experiments were testing cosmetics, detergents, and deodorants, the trials also included scores of Phase I drug trials, inoculations of radioactive isotopes, and applications of dioxin in addition to mind-control experiments for the Army and CIA. These experiments often left the subject-prisoners, mostly African Americans, in excruciating pain and had long-term debilitating effects on their health. This is one among many episodes of the sordid history of medical experimentation on the black population of the United States. The story of the Holmesburg trials was documented by Allen Hornblum in his 1998 book Acres of Skin . The more general history of African Americans as human guinea pigs has most recently been told by Harriet Washington in her 2007 book Medical Apartheid . The subject is currently a topic of heated public debate in the wake of a 2006 report from an influential panel of medical experts recommending that the federal government loosen the regulations in place since the 1970s that have limited the testing of pharmaceuticals on prison inmates. Sentenced to Science retells the story of the Holmesburg experiments more dramatically through the eyes of one black man, Edward “Butch” Anthony, who suffered greatly from the experiments for which he “volunteered” during multiple terms at the prison. This is not only one black man’s highly personal account of what it was like to be an imprisoned test subject, but also a sobering reminder that there were many African Americans caught in the viselike grip of a scientific research community willing to bend any code of ethics in order to accomplish its goals and a criminal justice system that sold prisoners to the highest bidder.

Genres: History, Science, Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2007

Reviews

[Beckie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. In this follow-up to 'Acres of Skin,' his earlier book on medical testing in prisons (which I have not read), Hornblum tells the tale of Eddie Anthony, a man who spends a decade cycling through prisons, addictions and medical tests.

Despite the prominence of the recent Nuremberg trials, medical tests on prisoners and other institutionalized populations (orphans, the mentally retarded, the elderly) occurred through the 1950s and 60s. These included some sponsored by pharmaceutical companies testing products like cosmetics, and let's just say informed consent was an unknown concept. The accounts of the tests are harrowing. At the end of the book, Hornblum explains that the National Academy of Sciences introduced a plan to reinstate testing on prisoners, with tighter guidelines--in 2006. It's clear the author, a professor at Temple University, finds this unconscionable. After reading the book, you probably will, too.

While the medical experiments are a large focus, the book also delves into the urban experience in Philadelphia and the tensions between Black Muslims and Sunni Muslims in prisons.

Anthony's story is intriguing, and frustrating, as we see him stumble from the gates of prison only to go after more heroin time and time again. His experience with Islam is fascinating too. It would be interesting to have students read this book after the autobiography of Malcolm X and compare them.

Hornblum interweaves Anthony's voice (in direct quotes) with his own. This style works, for the most part, but Hornblum sounds a bit awkward when he uses slang, and his voice occasionally becomes redundant.

This is not the best bedtime reading, but it's a powerful story that raises important questions, both about the purpose of the prison system and about medical ethics.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling account of one man's experience in one of the roughest prison systems in the United States and the strange medical experiments being performed on the inmates. This isn't science fiction your reading I sometimes had to remind my self. From testing soaps to diets to psychoactive drugs everything that could go wrong does go wrong for "Butch" Edward Anthony, a struggling druggie from the heart of Philadelphia, whom repeatedly finds himself incarcerated. A heart wrenching story of a man lost in his addiction and the many frustrating paths it takes. This read is not for the faint of heart. But should you read it, it is extremely rewarding.

[Kyle Wendy Skultety (gimmethatbook.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

More interesting and gory than Hornblum's other book, this gave more of an insight into what prisoners actually went through during their stint as test subjects for pharmeceutical companies. I felt sorry for Butch at the start, but as he continued to abuse drugs and backslide again and again, my emotions turned to annoyance and frustration. Very interesting, though, how these prisoners kept complying for the trials, even though the side effects were horrific. This book was also a scary insider's view at what goes on in our jails.

[Monique Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book. I was shocked to find out what types of experiments were done in the prison system in America. It made me question how I see the prison population and think about what their rights are. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. The details of the experiments are gruesome. The way the book is set up is wonderful. It goes back and forth between a man's first person account of his experience and the author's biography of the man and the history behind prison experiments. This book is definitely worth reading. I couldn't put it down.

[Kendalyn Thuma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see these memes running around about how we should quit medical testing on animals and start using prisoners and it horrifies me every time that people think it might be a good idea. I feel terrible for the men who had this done to them without any follow up care or informed consent. Terrible. Those physicians should have their license revoked and they should be charged with assault.