Top 10 Most Disturbing Human Experiments Performed in the U.S.

[Music]

that’s wrong 240 volts these horrible

that’s wrong 240 volts these horrible acts were committed in the name of

acts were committed in the name of

acts were committed in the name of science

science

science welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 terrible experiments performed in the

terrible experiments performed in the

terrible experiments performed in the United States known as the Moscow show

United States known as the Moscow show

United States known as the Moscow show trials these court cases give the world

trials these court cases give the world

trials these court cases give the world its first public glimpse of mind control

its first public glimpse of mind control

its first public glimpse of mind control for this list we’re looking at examples

for this list we’re looking at examples

for this list we’re looking at examples of human experimentation executed in the

of human experimentation executed in the

of human experimentation executed in the u.s. that were harmful to their test

u.s. that were harmful to their test

u.s. that were harmful to their test subjects it was important they were

subjects it was important they were

subjects it was important they were supposedly untreated and it would be

supposedly untreated and it would be

supposedly untreated and it would be undesirable to go ahead and use large

undesirable to go ahead and use large

undesirable to go ahead and use large amounts of penicillin to treat other

amounts of penicillin to treat other

amounts of penicillin to treat other disease because you’d interfere with

disease because you’d interfere with

disease because you’d interfere with study please note that some of these

study please note that some of these

study please note that some of these stories could not be proven as 100%

stories could not be proven as 100%

stories could not be proven as 100% factually accurate and as such may only

factually accurate and as such may only

factually accurate and as such may only be commonly repeated rumors however

be commonly repeated rumors however

be commonly repeated rumors however we’ve done our best to get the most

we’ve done our best to get the most

we’ve done our best to get the most accurate information possible an

accurate information possible an

accurate information possible an overwhelming number who say they were

overwhelming number who say they were

overwhelming number who say they were intentionally exposed to mustard gas in

intentionally exposed to mustard gas in

intentionally exposed to mustard gas in secret experiments have been denied

secret experiments have been denied

secret experiments have been denied benefits for decades

benefits for decades

benefits for decades number 10 project MKULTRA officially

number 10 project MKULTRA officially

number 10 project MKULTRA officially sanctioned in 1953 and backed by the CIA

sanctioned in 1953 and backed by the CIA

sanctioned in 1953 and backed by the CIA this series of experiments studied the

this series of experiments studied the

this series of experiments studied the effect of mind control with methods like

effect of mind control with methods like

effect of mind control with methods like hypnosis drugs isolation and sensory

hypnosis drugs isolation and sensory

hypnosis drugs isolation and sensory deprivation used to modify human

deprivation used to modify human

deprivation used to modify human behavior this is what they did they did

behavior this is what they did they did

behavior this is what they did they did chemicals they did biologicals they did

chemicals they did biologicals they did

chemicals they did biologicals they did disguises they did electronic secret

disguises they did electronic secret

disguises they did electronic secret writing and the like the CIA enlisted

writing and the like the CIA enlisted

writing and the like the CIA enlisted the help of prisons hospitals and more

the help of prisons hospitals and more

the help of prisons hospitals and more than 40 universities to perform

than 40 universities to perform

than 40 universities to perform experiments on subjects without their

experiments on subjects without their

experiments on subjects without their knowledge in one of these sub projects

knowledge in one of these sub projects

knowledge in one of these sub projects operation midnight climax prostitutes

operation midnight climax prostitutes

operation midnight climax prostitutes who were secretly working for the CIA

who were secretly working for the CIA

who were secretly working for the CIA gave clients LSD and while these men

gave clients LSD and while these men

gave clients LSD and while these men were under the influence they were spied

were under the influence they were spied

were under the influence they were spied on through a one-way mirror in 1973 CIA

on through a one-way mirror in 1973 CIA

on through a one-way mirror in 1973 CIA director Richard Helms ordered the

director Richard Helms ordered the

director Richard Helms ordered the destruction of all records related to

destruction of all records related to

destruction of all records related to MKULTRA but subsequent investigations

MKULTRA but subsequent investigations

MKULTRA but subsequent investigations led by Senator Frank church and vice

led by Senator Frank church and vice

led by Senator Frank church and vice president Nelson Rockefeller in addition

president Nelson Rockefeller in addition

president Nelson Rockefeller in addition to twenty thousand records recovered in

to twenty thousand records recovered in

to twenty thousand records recovered in 1977 were able to shed light on these

1977 were able to shed light on these

1977 were able to shed light on these activities

activities

activities number nine the Stanford Prison

number nine the Stanford Prison

number nine the Stanford Prison Experiment designed by psychologist

Experiment designed by psychologist

Experiment designed by psychologist Philip Zimbardo the goal of this 1971

Philip Zimbardo the goal of this 1971

Philip Zimbardo the goal of this 1971 experiment was to examine the

experiment was to examine the

experiment was to examine the psychological impact of imprisonment for

psychological impact of imprisonment for

psychological impact of imprisonment for the experiment the psychology building

the experiment the psychology building

the experiment the psychology building at Stanford University was turned into a

at Stanford University was turned into a

at Stanford University was turned into a prison with twenty four undergraduate

prison with twenty four undergraduate

prison with twenty four undergraduate students divided into two groups

students divided into two groups

students divided into two groups prisoners and guards I don’t look on it

prisoners and guards I don’t look on it

prisoners and guards I don’t look on it as an experiment or a simulation but

as an experiment or a simulation but

as an experiment or a simulation but just as a prison that was run by

just as a prison that was run by

just as a prison that was run by psychologists instead of run by the

psychologists instead of run by the

psychologists instead of run by the state they took their commitment to

state they took their commitment to

state they took their commitment to their roles two disturbing levels with

their roles two disturbing levels with

their roles two disturbing levels with the guards doling out abuse and the

the guards doling out abuse and the

the guards doling out abuse and the prisoners accepting it things got so

prisoners accepting it things got so

prisoners accepting it things got so intense that some students had to be

intense that some students had to be

intense that some students had to be removed due to the trauma

removed due to the trauma

removed due to the trauma although the exercise was supposed to

although the exercise was supposed to

although the exercise was supposed to last two weeks and had the interest of

last two weeks and had the interest of

last two weeks and had the interest of the US Marine Corps and Navy it was shut

the US Marine Corps and Navy it was shut

the US Marine Corps and Navy it was shut down after just six days when the

down after just six days when the

down after just six days when the repercussions of the experiment became

repercussions of the experiment became

repercussions of the experiment became clear number eight the Milgram

clear number eight the Milgram

clear number eight the Milgram experiment fascinated by what motivated

experiment fascinated by what motivated

experiment fascinated by what motivated Nazi officers to commit atrocities

Nazi officers to commit atrocities

Nazi officers to commit atrocities during World War two Yale psychologist

during World War two Yale psychologist

during World War two Yale psychologist Stanley Milgram set up an experiment to

Stanley Milgram set up an experiment to

Stanley Milgram set up an experiment to see just how far Americans would go

see just how far Americans would go

see just how far Americans would go before their conscience stopped them yes

before their conscience stopped them yes

before their conscience stopped them yes he’s laughing right it’s hard to

he’s laughing right it’s hard to

he’s laughing right it’s hard to understand exactly why part of it is the

understand exactly why part of it is the

understand exactly why part of it is the absurdity of the situation and part of

absurdity of the situation and part of

absurdity of the situation and part of this the nervousness that they’re

this the nervousness that they’re

this the nervousness that they’re feeling in the 1960s experiment a

feeling in the 1960s experiment a

feeling in the 1960s experiment a teacher would read questions to a

teacher would read questions to a

teacher would read questions to a learner who was actually an actor

learner who was actually an actor

learner who was actually an actor pretending to participate in the study

pretending to participate in the study

pretending to participate in the study when the learner got an answer wrong the

when the learner got an answer wrong the

when the learner got an answer wrong the teacher gave what he believed to be a

teacher gave what he believed to be a

teacher gave what he believed to be a real electric shock progressing in

real electric shock progressing in

real electric shock progressing in fifteen volt increments up to 450 volts

fifteen volt increments up to 450 volts

fifteen volt increments up to 450 volts did it sound as if he was in pain

did it sound as if he was in pain

did it sound as if he was in pain yeah if the teachers objected they were

yeah if the teachers objected they were

yeah if the teachers objected they were forced to administer it regardless after

forced to administer it regardless after

forced to administer it regardless after being assured that they would be free of

being assured that they would be free of

being assured that they would be free of all responsibility the teacher typically

all responsibility the teacher typically

all responsibility the teacher typically complied even when the learner screamed

complied even when the learner screamed

complied even when the learner screamed in agony that’s wrong 225 volts

two-thirds of the 40 test subjects went

two-thirds of the 40 test subjects went all the way to 450 volts proving how

all the way to 450 volts proving how

all the way to 450 volts proving how much we’re ingrained to obey Authority

much we’re ingrained to obey Authority

much we’re ingrained to obey Authority even if we believe it to be morally or

even if we believe it to be morally or

even if we believe it to be morally or legally unjustified we’ll be all right

legally unjustified we’ll be all right

legally unjustified we’ll be all right yeah

yeah

yeah please continue number seven

please continue number seven

please continue number seven dr. Leo Stanley’s San Quentin prison

dr. Leo Stanley’s San Quentin prison

dr. Leo Stanley’s San Quentin prison experiments as chief surgeon at San

experiments as chief surgeon at San

experiments as chief surgeon at San Quentin dr. Leo Stanley used prisoners

Quentin dr. Leo Stanley used prisoners

Quentin dr. Leo Stanley used prisoners for various experiments from 1913 to

for various experiments from 1913 to

for various experiments from 1913 to 1951 with some verging into dark

1951 with some verging into dark

1951 with some verging into dark territory these experiments included

territory these experiments included

territory these experiments included sterilization and possibly finding

sterilization and possibly finding

sterilization and possibly finding treatments for Spanish flu a strong

treatments for Spanish flu a strong

treatments for Spanish flu a strong supporter of eugenics Stan Lee performed

supporter of eugenics Stan Lee performed

supporter of eugenics Stan Lee performed vasectomies on inmates who were sold on

vasectomies on inmates who were sold on

vasectomies on inmates who were sold on the idea of better health reformed

the idea of better health reformed

the idea of better health reformed behavior and a stronger sex drive in one

behavior and a stronger sex drive in one

behavior and a stronger sex drive in one project that aimed to find a source of

project that aimed to find a source of

project that aimed to find a source of rejuvenation Stanley used live prisoners

rejuvenation Stanley used live prisoners

rejuvenation Stanley used live prisoners for surgery that transplanted testicles

for surgery that transplanted testicles

for surgery that transplanted testicles human or otherwise the experiment began

human or otherwise the experiment began

human or otherwise the experiment began with testicle sourced from executed

with testicle sourced from executed

with testicle sourced from executed prisoners but when the supply ran dry

prisoners but when the supply ran dry

prisoners but when the supply ran dry dr. Stanley began using boar and goat

dr. Stanley began using boar and goat

dr. Stanley began using boar and goat testes in his work number six the Boston

testes in his work number six the Boston

testes in his work number six the Boston project working with the Oak Ridge

project working with the Oak Ridge

project working with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 1953 to 57 dr.

National Laboratory from 1953 to 57 dr.

National Laboratory from 1953 to 57 dr. William sweet who was the chief

William sweet who was the chief

William sweet who was the chief neurosurgeon at Harvard’s massachusetts

neurosurgeon at Harvard’s massachusetts

neurosurgeon at Harvard’s massachusetts general hospital gave uranium injections

general hospital gave uranium injections

general hospital gave uranium injections to eleven cancer patients who were

to eleven cancer patients who were

to eleven cancer patients who were terminally ill with all but one

terminally ill with all but one

terminally ill with all but one reportedly suffering from brain tumors

reportedly suffering from brain tumors

reportedly suffering from brain tumors dr. sweet was interested in learning how

dr. sweet was interested in learning how

dr. sweet was interested in learning how the distribution of uranium affected the

the distribution of uranium affected the

the distribution of uranium affected the body and whether it could be used to

body and whether it could be used to

body and whether it could be used to treat tumors in 1995 under testimony dr.

treat tumors in 1995 under testimony dr.

treat tumors in 1995 under testimony dr. sweet claimed he had consent from all

sweet claimed he had consent from all

sweet claimed he had consent from all his patients for his experiments however

his patients for his experiments however

his patients for his experiments however a lack of supporting documents as well

a lack of supporting documents as well

a lack of supporting documents as well as the case of one patient who was found

as the case of one patient who was found

as the case of one patient who was found unconscious and later died without

unconscious and later died without

unconscious and later died without regaining

regaining

regaining consciousness or being identified makes

consciousness or being identified makes

consciousness or being identified makes those planes slightly dubious number

those planes slightly dubious number

those planes slightly dubious number five the Tuskegee syphilis experiment

five the Tuskegee syphilis experiment

five the Tuskegee syphilis experiment from 1932 to 1972 600 african-american

from 1932 to 1972 600 african-american

from 1932 to 1972 600 african-american farmers from Alabama were selected for a

farmers from Alabama were selected for a

farmers from Alabama were selected for a US public health services program

US public health services program

US public health services program receiving free health care and other

receiving free health care and other

receiving free health care and other benefits for their cooperation however

benefits for their cooperation however

benefits for their cooperation however they weren’t told they were actually

they weren’t told they were actually

they weren’t told they were actually being studied 399 of the men had

being studied 399 of the men had

being studied 399 of the men had syphilis while the other 201 were used

syphilis while the other 201 were used

syphilis while the other 201 were used as a control group many of these

as a control group many of these

as a control group many of these subjects poor and often illiterate

subjects poor and often illiterate

subjects poor and often illiterate sharecroppers didn’t even know they had

sharecroppers didn’t even know they had

sharecroppers didn’t even know they had the disease even after penicillin was

the disease even after penicillin was

the disease even after penicillin was developed as a cure for syphilis in 1947

developed as a cure for syphilis in 1947

developed as a cure for syphilis in 1947 the treatment was withheld from the

the treatment was withheld from the

the treatment was withheld from the patients as was access to proper

patients as was access to proper

patients as was access to proper information or treatment many ultimately

information or treatment many ultimately

information or treatment many ultimately died of syphilis with at least 40 women

died of syphilis with at least 40 women

died of syphilis with at least 40 women contracting it from their husbands and

contracting it from their husbands and

contracting it from their husbands and nearly 20 children born with it as a

nearly 20 children born with it as a

nearly 20 children born with it as a result of an information leak the

result of an information leak the

result of an information leak the project was shut down in 1972 but it

project was shut down in 1972 but it

project was shut down in 1972 but it wasn’t until 1997 that President Bill

wasn’t until 1997 that President Bill

wasn’t until 1997 that President Bill Clinton formally apologized on behalf of

Clinton formally apologized on behalf of

Clinton formally apologized on behalf of the government for what happened the

the government for what happened the

the government for what happened the eight men who are survivors of the

eight men who are survivors of the

eight men who are survivors of the syphilis study at Tuskegee are a living

syphilis study at Tuskegee are a living

syphilis study at Tuskegee are a living link to a time not so very long ago that

link to a time not so very long ago that

link to a time not so very long ago that many Americans would prefer not to

many Americans would prefer not to

many Americans would prefer not to remember number four the University of

remember number four the University of

remember number four the University of California experiments on newborns

California experiments on newborns

California experiments on newborns leading up to a study published in the

leading up to a study published in the

leading up to a study published in the medical journal of pediatrics 113

medical journal of pediatrics 113

medical journal of pediatrics 113 newborn babies no older than 3 days old

newborn babies no older than 3 days old

newborn babies no older than 3 days old were experimented on by scientists at

were experimented on by scientists at

were experimented on by scientists at the University of California’s

the University of California’s

the University of California’s department of pediatrics in the early

department of pediatrics in the early

department of pediatrics in the early 1960s studies conducted on the babies

1960s studies conducted on the babies

1960s studies conducted on the babies included a battery of bizarre and

included a battery of bizarre and

included a battery of bizarre and seemingly unnecessary experiments

seemingly unnecessary experiments

seemingly unnecessary experiments regarding blood flow and pressure in one

regarding blood flow and pressure in one

regarding blood flow and pressure in one test over 40 babies were placed on

test over 40 babies were placed on

test over 40 babies were placed on circumcision boards and held upside down

circumcision boards and held upside down

circumcision boards and held upside down while doctors measured how their blood

while doctors measured how their blood

while doctors measured how their blood flow to their head in another babies

flow to their head in another babies

flow to their head in another babies were placed ankle-deep in ice-cold water

were placed ankle-deep in ice-cold water

were placed ankle-deep in ice-cold water while a catheter was inserted into their

while a catheter was inserted into their

while a catheter was inserted into their a Horta in an effort to monitor their

a Horta in an effort to monitor their

a Horta in an effort to monitor their aortic pressure

aortic pressure

aortic pressure three dr. bender forces

three dr. bender forces

three dr. bender forces electroconvulsive therapy on children

electroconvulsive therapy on children

electroconvulsive therapy on children while working as a neuropsychiatry at

while working as a neuropsychiatry at

while working as a neuropsychiatry at New York’s Bellevue Hospital dr. Loretta

New York’s Bellevue Hospital dr. Loretta

New York’s Bellevue Hospital dr. Loretta bender decided an effective treatment

bender decided an effective treatment

bender decided an effective treatment for children with developmental

for children with developmental

for children with developmental disorders or schizophrenia was

disorders or schizophrenia was

disorders or schizophrenia was electroconvulsive therapy or ECT

electroconvulsive therapy or ECT

electroconvulsive therapy or ECT previously called electroshock therapy

in 1947 dr. bender sent small electric

in 1947 dr. bender sent small electric currents through the brains of 98

currents through the brains of 98

currents through the brains of 98 children all of whom were 12 or under

children all of whom were 12 or under

children all of whom were 12 or under and one of whom was 3 another of dr.

and one of whom was 3 another of dr.

and one of whom was 3 another of dr. benders methods for trying to alleviate

benders methods for trying to alleviate

benders methods for trying to alleviate schizophrenia was to give her young

schizophrenia was to give her young

schizophrenia was to give her young patients LSD Ted Chavez Sinskey was one

patients LSD Ted Chavez Sinskey was one

patients LSD Ted Chavez Sinskey was one of the children who went through the

of the children who went through the

of the children who went through the therapy when he was 6 years old and he

therapy when he was 6 years old and he

therapy when he was 6 years old and he later became a human rights activist who

later became a human rights activist who

later became a human rights activist who successfully fought against the use of

successfully fought against the use of

successfully fought against the use of electroshock therapy in Berkeley

electroshock therapy in Berkeley

electroshock therapy in Berkeley California best thing we can do is go on

California best thing we can do is go on

California best thing we can do is go on with our daily routine all right number

with our daily routine all right number

with our daily routine all right number two military experiments with mustard

two military experiments with mustard

two military experiments with mustard gas during World War two in 1943 the

gas during World War two in 1943 the

gas during World War two in 1943 the Navy recruited upwards of 60,000 young

Navy recruited upwards of 60,000 young

Navy recruited upwards of 60,000 young men for a study only they weren’t asked

men for a study only they weren’t asked

men for a study only they weren’t asked to participate they were told only when

to participate they were told only when

to participate they were told only when they arrived at the naval research

they arrived at the naval research

they arrived at the naval research laboratory in Washington DC did they

laboratory in Washington DC did they

laboratory in Washington DC did they find the real purpose of the study to

find the real purpose of the study to

find the real purpose of the study to measure the effects of mustard gas and

measure the effects of mustard gas and

measure the effects of mustard gas and other chemicals on humans they rubbed a

other chemicals on humans they rubbed a

other chemicals on humans they rubbed a liquid chemical on my arm and hand and

liquid chemical on my arm and hand and

liquid chemical on my arm and hand and had me breathe the gas without a mask on

had me breathe the gas without a mask on

had me breathe the gas without a mask on I had no protective clothing in the gas

I had no protective clothing in the gas

I had no protective clothing in the gas chamber locked in chambers and exposed

chamber locked in chambers and exposed

chamber locked in chambers and exposed to the deadly gas the men involved in

to the deadly gas the men involved in

to the deadly gas the men involved in these experiments suffered horrible

these experiments suffered horrible

these experiments suffered horrible health effects including internal and

health effects including internal and

health effects including internal and external burns additionally as it was a

external burns additionally as it was a

external burns additionally as it was a wartime experiment they were bound by

wartime experiment they were bound by

wartime experiment they were bound by oaths of secrecy and faced dishonorable

oaths of secrecy and faced dishonorable

oaths of secrecy and faced dishonorable discharge or imprisonment if they spoke

discharge or imprisonment if they spoke

discharge or imprisonment if they spoke of the order the details of which were

of the order the details of which were

of the order the details of which were not formally Declassified until 1993

not formally Declassified until 1993

not formally Declassified until 1993 before we unveil our number-one pick

before we unveil our number-one pick

before we unveil our number-one pick here are some honorable mentions

number one Vanderbilt University’s

number one Vanderbilt University’s vitamin drinks following World War two

vitamin drinks following World War two

vitamin drinks following World War two researchers at Vanderbilt University

researchers at Vanderbilt University

researchers at Vanderbilt University gave over 800 pregnant women a

gave over 800 pregnant women a

gave over 800 pregnant women a mysterious concoction they were told was

mysterious concoction they were told was

mysterious concoction they were told was a special vitamin drink it was actually

a special vitamin drink it was actually

a special vitamin drink it was actually mixtures that contain doses of

mixtures that contain doses of

mixtures that contain doses of radioactive iron as the scientists were

radioactive iron as the scientists were

radioactive iron as the scientists were testing its absorption rate during

testing its absorption rate during

testing its absorption rate during pregnancy the radiation these women were

pregnancy the radiation these women were

pregnancy the radiation these women were exposed to was reportedly 30 times

exposed to was reportedly 30 times

exposed to was reportedly 30 times higher than normal around 3 or 4

higher than normal around 3 or 4

higher than normal around 3 or 4 children died of cancer or leukemia as a

children died of cancer or leukemia as a

children died of cancer or leukemia as a result of the experiment and some

result of the experiment and some

result of the experiment and some mothers developed rashes lost hair and

mothers developed rashes lost hair and

mothers developed rashes lost hair and teeth and contracted various types of

teeth and contracted various types of

teeth and contracted various types of cancer themselves in 1994 almost 40

cancer themselves in 1994 almost 40

cancer themselves in 1994 almost 40 years later Vanderbilt University faced

years later Vanderbilt University faced

years later Vanderbilt University faced a lawsuit for the four-year study and

a lawsuit for the four-year study and

a lawsuit for the four-year study and was forced to pay out more than 10

was forced to pay out more than 10

was forced to pay out more than 10 million dollars in damages do you agree

million dollars in damages do you agree

million dollars in damages do you agree with our list I’m bad not too bad I mean

with our list I’m bad not too bad I mean

with our list I’m bad not too bad I mean we uh we ran a pretty ragged which

we uh we ran a pretty ragged which

we uh we ran a pretty ragged which American experiment horrified you the

American experiment horrified you the

American experiment horrified you the most ha I get a little skittish nervous

most ha I get a little skittish nervous

most ha I get a little skittish nervous for more historical top 10s published

for more historical top 10s published

for more historical top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to

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watchmojo.com is a big like worry what

watchmojo.com is a big like worry what you gotta do get my really fine actor

you gotta do get my really fine actor

you gotta do get my really fine actor okay yes I am body my eyes are there no

okay yes I am body my eyes are there no

okay yes I am body my eyes are there no night look

night look

night look [Music]

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