This review from School Library Journal explains it well:
“This chilling narrative exposes the history of human medical experimentation, much of which has occurred in the United States. By examining the use of humans as guinea pigs in medical research since the 1700s, Wittenstein explains the evolution of modern regulations, review boards, and organizations focused on ethical treatment of patients and approved research procedures. While the exploitation of unsuspecting orphans and pregnant women or intentionally withholding established medical cures from sick patients may seem gruesome, the narrative is successful at presenting both sides of the issue: the patient whose rights are being violated and the doctor intent on furthering science. Of particular note is the discussion of stem-cell research, which brings these historical medical controversies to light in a modern setting. The black-and-white photographs present a human face to these experiments and, if used in the classroom, this title will spark an educated debate. A ‘Critical Analysis’ section presents questions for readers to consider and discuss while sources for additional information list print, media, and websites that will appeal to a wide variety of readers. This title is an important addition to public and school libraries. It will pair well with books on topics ranging from medicine and history to human rights and law.”
Where to buy the book: Amazon, B&N, Indiebound
Interesting, huh? Have you thought about writing nonfiction? If so, what topic might you be inspired to write about?
That is a tough topic.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic (in a really disturbing way). I would really love for my students to read it--they're always totally shocked when I mention what sorts of things have happened in US medical history.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little scared, both by the cover and the topic. ;) I can't even begin to imagine the research that went into this. I know how much I research for fiction. Non-fiction must be ten times more in-depth.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about writing nonfiction, though I would imagine the content of this particular novel would be as jaw-dropping as the twists and turns presented in a genre story. It's an interesting testament to how art is often an imitation of life.
ReplyDeleteYou should also research the experiments directed to African Americans, all kinds of horror and this was after slavery.
ReplyDeleteAs for nonfiction, I have written Beads on a String-America's Racially Intertwined Biographical History. It covers all races and their contributions to America's growth. I am currently working on a parenting book.
Yes, Vicki is a master at doing in-depth research, and she was horrified by some of the historical facts. It is complex. Experimental medicine is needed, but only when the participants are fully informed!
ReplyDeleteEy, your books sound amazing! And yes, I believe that Vicki's book does touch on those tests using unsuspecting African Americans-shameful.
ReplyDeleteScary stuff. Such fascinating questions regarding ethics though. It's better to be informed than ignorant, so I'm glad she put a spotlight on this.
ReplyDeleteI bet she did do a lot of research, once you get into a topic, you can't back away. Catherine, my book has received some pretty good reviews. I started writing as a homeschool project when my daughter became frustrated about Black History month. She wanted a book of multiple races and there were none. Excerpts can be viewed on pInterest. http://bit.ly/Beadspins
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ey. LG, yes it's good that some authors are led to research and write about challenging topics.
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds utterly fascinating!
ReplyDeleteYes, Sara, I agree. Vicki's previous book was all about searching for other habitable, earthlike planets. She's alway up to something interesting.
ReplyDelete*shivers* Sign me up! It is fascinating seeing the way society functioned in the past, what was and was not acceptable and how far we have come or degenerated in philosophies.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds disturbing indeed but needs to be brought to light. If I were to write non-fiction, I think I would write about adoption and also how genetics and environment play into our development - and things we can overcome, and some we may not.
ReplyDeleteI've seen several documentaries about the unethical treatment of indigent patients in rural areas, including the Tuskeegee syphilis experiments between the 20s and 70s. It's beyond shocking that the US gov't and doctors were well aware they were allowing people to get sick and die in the name of "research." It's a horrible scandal and truly nauseating. Good for Vicki for bringing this subject to light.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lexa.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, yes, I think society has come a long way but we should always remain vigilant. Donna, your nonfiction idea is a great one!
HI, everyone, and thanks Catherine for recommending my book. Yep, I did a lot of research, and found lots of gruesome experiments-- so many that it was a challenge to figure out which ones to use in the book. Doctors performed thousands of experiments on orphans, prisoners, the mentally ill, African Americans, and others with little power or voice, without consent. The subjects often suffered excruciating pain and humiliation, and some even died. The U.S. government’s secret radiation experiments during the Cold War shocked me. I kept imagining how I would feel if I had been one of the 18 random hospital patients that doctors secretly injected with plutonium, or one of the 829 pregnant women at a Vanderbilt University clinic who drank a supposedly healthy drink doctors laced with radiation. And, as horrible as these experiments were, they were not comparable to the Nazi doctors’ torture and inhumane experimentation of concentration camp victims during World War II. Despite the laws and regulations in place today, problems continue with clinical trials, the pharmaceutical industry, genetic therapies, stem cell research, and DNA sequencing. The book raises many ethical questions, but primarily asks the reader how to fairly balance the rights of the individual versus the need for medical advancement. What price should we pay for medical knowledge and how can we learn from our mistakes in the past?
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI once thought of finding and publishing bios of little-known women in the Gold Rush Country and the Barbary Coast. Then I thought about making it fiction.
More projects than time, I suppose.
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Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
Fascinating topic. History is incredibly interesting and often incredibly horrifying.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering if as a species we've had a psychological/emotional shift. Life was so brutal, and still so in many places even in the US, was there such a thing as ptsd during Roman times or earlier? Maybe I'll have to try and do more research on the topic since it seems to have snagged my curiosity.
It always amazes me at the things that are done in the name of science, research, etc. Lots of scary stuff out there. I used to write non-fiction for children's magazines, mostly about animals and art and fun things my students did in science, nothing chilling though. They were 5th graders..
ReplyDeleteThis is book that had to be written and I'm so pleased she aimed it at the young reader. I'm definitely looking this one up.
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