The Tuskegee study was a nontherapeutic study done on African American male samples in 1932. It was carried out by the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) to establish the course of untreated latent syphilis on natives in Tuskegee in Alabama. The National Association of Social Workers offers ethics to guide conducts of social workers. NASW stresses quality service delivery, social justice, integrity, competence, dignity, worth of people, and the importance of human relationships.
NASW Impact
The NASW 16 ethical standards would have had preservation of the dignity of the samples, and the study would have stopped immediately. Also, the samples were not informed of the process and its implications. Based on NASW, the affected persons could sue the hospital and get compensation for the caused damages.
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Informed Argument
Guidelines
Commitment to clients (1.01). The social workers should work to promote the well-being of clients. Generally, the interests of clients are the primary reasons for service provision.
Informed Consent (1.02). The client should be aware of the service being delivered including its implications. Alternatively, a third party permission can be sought if a client is incapacitated.
Discrimination (4.02). Social workers should not get involved in any form of discrimination in the form of race, sex, color, gender, and much more. Only African American descent was used for the study.
Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception (4.04). In this case, dishonesty and deception occur-Social workers should not deceive clients.
Facts
The actual happening is that the consents of the samples were not sought before the experiment, the hospital did not tell them of associated dangers. Moreover, they were deceived about the anticipated treatment, which never occurred. Also, elements of selective sampling were done, which featured samples of African American descent solely.
Changes
The guideline would have made sure the proposed study is reported to the relevant authority for scrutiny. Also, the client's consent would be sought and the dignity of life preserved. Lastly, treatment would have been administered to each sample.
Outcome
The study would not have proceeded. It is because it infringes on human dignity through lack of proper treatment and deception.
Conclusion
In summation, NASW offers guidelines of practice upon which social workers can base decisions to deal with clients and among themselves. Tuskegee experiment derailed human dignity-something which is punishable by law. Even if the compensation was made, it could not suffice the caused damages.
