Is it ethical to use data from Nazi medical experiments?

Is it ethical to use data from Nazi medical experiments?

It turns out that much of the data obtained from experimenting on prisoners was actually scientifically sound. So, should they be used, because data is data? the victims are dead. What will the families of the victims say? Can you lie about where the data come from? Should the data be disregarded if they can save lives?

"It’s tempting to deflect the question by saying the data are useless – that the bad behaviour must have produced bad science, so we don’t even have to think about it. But there is no inevitable link between the two because science is not a moral endeavour. If scientific data is too poor to use, it’s because of poor study design and analysis, not because of the bad moral character of the scientist. And in fact, some of the data from Nazi experiments is scientifically sound enough to be useful."


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The original source appears as a paper by Leo Alexander, published in Combined Intelligence Objectives Subcommittee Files. This is an unusual type of publication to be mentioned in a scientific journal, and it’s unclear that it comes from the trial of Nazi doctors at Nurmemberg.

In the late 1980s, US researcher Robert Pozos argued the Nazi hypothermia data was critical to improving methods of reviving people rescued from freezing water after boat accidents, but the New England Journal of Medicine rejected his proposal to publish the data openly.

Use of data generated by the Nazis from the deadly phosgene gas experiments has also been considered, and rejected by the US Environmental Protection Agency, even though it could have helped save lives of those accidentally exposed.


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So should the results of Nazi experiments ever be taken up and used? A simple utilitarian response would look to the obvious consequences. If good can come to people now and in the future from using the data, then its use is surely justified. After all, no further harm can be done to those who died.

But a more sophisticated utilitarian would think about the indirect and subtle consequences. Perhaps family members of those who were experimented on would be distressed to know the data was being used. And their distress might outweigh the good that could be done. Or perhaps using the data would send the message that the experiments weren’t so bad after all, and even encourage morally blinkered doctors to do in their own unethical experiments.

So, what to do???

forgot the link: https://theconversation.com/is-it-et...eriments-39928

forgot the link: https://theconversation.com/is-it-et...eriments-39928

Fascinating article, thir!


To my way of reasoning, not using that data would be almost disrespectful.

These people died in horrible conditions. There is n way to justify that or to make it less horrible. The family members lost loved ones. No way to change that fact. Senseless killing.

The tests were done, data received. Useful data. Data that ha
This way, at least their deaths weren't for nothing. It changes these fallen test subjects from victims to heroes. Their deaths turned into something that at least does good.

Perhaps this way shows respect for the lives lost, by preventing the loss of lives in others.

Yes, several people have said this, and I can certainly see the argument. However, won't it white wash the whole thing, or make it 'kind of' ok to do something similar, or otherwise unethical?

I don't think it would make anyone sane, at least, think it would be okay to duplicate those 'experiments'. Especially if we make known the consequences of doing so. But not using the data, if it can help other people, would, as just_ine noted, be disrespecting to those who died horribly. At least their families can console themselves with the idea that their loved ones' lives weren't just wasted. They might just save many more lives. However, I've found that most people aren't so logical about such things. No doubt there are some who would wail and gnash their teeth over the 'disrespect' shown their loved ones. But then, they are likely to do that over any little thing anyway.

I say, Use the data. Save some lives.