On September 19, the NIH unveiled a commemorative plaque at the National Library of Medicine’s herb garden, honoring the African American men who were subjected to unethical treatment in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Untreated Syphilis Study, which took place in Tuskegee, Alabama. This moment also marked the 50th anniversary of the National Research Act, a law that established critical protections for human subjects in research.
The dedication ceremony featured remarks from NIH Director Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, who emphasized the importance of remembering past injustices to ensure they are never repeated. “NIH is committed to making biomedical research inclusive and accessible for everyone,” she said.
The Tuskegee study, which began in 1932 and ended in 1972, enrolled 625 African American men, withholding treatment even after it became widely available without informed consent. The legacy of this unethical study continues to reverberate today, particularly among the descendants of the men who were mistreated.
Lillie Tyson Head, president of the Voices For Our Fathers Legacy Foundation and a descendant of one of the men involved in the study, spoke at the event. She stressed the importance of acknowledging not only the inhumane treatment these men endured but also their humanity and the sacrifices they made for their families. The plaque serves as a reminder of the importance of trust, equity, and ethical standards in research.
Through a partnership with the Voices For Our Fathers Legacy Foundation, NIH has worked to preserve documents from the study, which are now available to the public on the National Library of Medicine’s website. Dr. Lyric Jorgenson, NIH’s associate director for science policy, underscored the value of shedding light on these dark chapters of history to prevent them from repeating.
The plaque’s unveiling is more than a symbolic gesture—it represents a step toward healing and ensuring that the lessons learned continue to guide biomedical research today. In partnership with descendants and NIH leaders, the event highlighted the need for transparency and trust in pursuing health equity and scientific advancement.