Peter Buxtun, the courageous whistleblower who exposed the horrific Tuskegee syphilis study, has died at the age of 86. Buxtun passed away on May 18 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, according to his attorney Minna Fernan. Born in Prague in 1937, Buxtun’s pivotal role in uncovering one of the most unethical medical studies in U.S. history has left an indelible mark on public health and ethics.
In the 1960s, Buxtun, a former epidemiologist for the U.S. Public Health Service, revealed that hundreds of Black men in rural Alabama were deliberately left untreated for syphilis as part of a government study. His disclosures in 1972 led to a public outcry, the study’s termination, and a significant overhaul of ethical standards in medical research.
Buxtun’s actions not only exposed a grave injustice but also catalyzed changes in the way human subjects are treated in research, ensuring greater protections and ethical oversight. His legacy is a testament to the power of whistleblowers in safeguarding public welfare.