The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is one of the most infamous examples of unethical medical experimentation in the United States. The study took place in Tuskegee, Alabama, from 1932 to 1972 and aimed to observe the natural progression of untreated syphilis in African American men.

The participants in the study were not informed of the true nature of the experiment and were not given proper treatment for their syphilis, even after effective treatment became available in the 1940s. This led to severe health consequences for the men involved, including blindness, cardiovascular damage, and death.

The study was exposed by a whistleblower in 1972, leading to widespread public outrage and eventual changes in regulations governing medical research ethics. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study remains a stark reminder of the importance of ethical standards in medical research and the systemic racism that has historically impacted the healthcare experiences of Black Americans.