Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
Swollen feet and a wanted apology
Controversy renewed with new book about Penn experiments
Jessica Sidman
Yusef Anthony thought participating in a Penn-conducted study on Johnson & Johnson bubble bath would be a safe way to earn easy money.
And so during his first week as an inmate in Philadelphia's Holmesburg Prison, Anthony was led into a cellblock-turned-laboratory. There, an inmate in a lab coat peeled off patches of skin from his back and sprayed chemicals on the open wounds.
Pus-filled blisters formed overnight, and his black skin turned "strawberry" red. After several days of excruciating pain, he was taken off the test.
He earned $37.
But the medical and psychological side effects of this and other tests continue to cost him, more than 40 years later.
The experiment was one of thousands Penn conducted under the direction of dermatologist and professor emeritus Albert Kligman in Holmesburg Prison from 1951 to 1974.
The controversy, for which the University and Kligman continue to deny wrongdoing, has been stirred up yet again with the recent release of Sentenced to Science by Temple University urban studies professor Allen Hornblum, which details Anthony's experiences and ongoing struggle.
According to Hornblum, the inmates - some of whom signed waivers, though most were virtually illiterate- were exposed to infectious diseases, radioactive isotopes, psychotropic drugs and other dangerous chemicals for skin-related research.
Some of the studies led to the development of anti-wrinkle cream Retin-A and have made Penn and Kligman millions.
"These were Frankenstein-style practices going on," Anthony said. "Crimes against humanity."
Today, the 64-year-old sees a doctor at least once a month. Peeling an orange causes itching and irritation that only scalding hot water can relieve.
His hands used to swell to the size of boxing gloves, and his size 10 feet would barely fit a size 14 shoe. Brittle bones, fatigue and severe stomach problems also plague him.
The University acknowledges that the prison studies took place but still stand by Kligman.
And so during his first week as an inmate in Philadelphia's Holmesburg Prison, Anthony was led into a cellblock-turned-laboratory. There, an inmate in a lab coat peeled off patches of skin from his back and sprayed chemicals on the open wounds.
Pus-filled blisters formed overnight, and his black skin turned "strawberry" red. After several days of excruciating pain, he was taken off the test.
He earned $37.
But the medical and psychological side effects of this and other tests continue to cost him, more than 40 years later.
The experiment was one of thousands Penn conducted under the direction of dermatologist and professor emeritus Albert Kligman in Holmesburg Prison from 1951 to 1974.
The controversy, for which the University and Kligman continue to deny wrongdoing, has been stirred up yet again with the recent release of Sentenced to Science by Temple University urban studies professor Allen Hornblum, which details Anthony's experiences and ongoing struggle.
According to Hornblum, the inmates - some of whom signed waivers, though most were virtually illiterate- were exposed to infectious diseases, radioactive isotopes, psychotropic drugs and other dangerous chemicals for skin-related research.
Some of the studies led to the development of anti-wrinkle cream Retin-A and have made Penn and Kligman millions.
"These were Frankenstein-style practices going on," Anthony said. "Crimes against humanity."
Today, the 64-year-old sees a doctor at least once a month. Peeling an orange causes itching and irritation that only scalding hot water can relieve.
His hands used to swell to the size of boxing gloves, and his size 10 feet would barely fit a size 14 shoe. Brittle bones, fatigue and severe stomach problems also plague him.
The University acknowledges that the prison studies took place but still stand by Kligman.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Linda Auxer
posted 1/09/08 @ 11:04 AM EST
I am a victim of Prof A M Kligman, Univer. of Penn and Johnson and Johnson, also. I used a product that the FDA did not fully test in order to prevent Univ of Penn from suing Johnson and Johnson for buying Kligman's patents Renova 0. (Continued…)
Linda Auxer
posted 4/17/08 @ 8:55 AM EST
The world must come to understand, that when pharmaceutical corps are being allowed to test prisoners with toxic chemicals and viruses
that are potentially infectious to other humans, they are allowing pandemics to happen. (Continued…)
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