The Malaria Project: The U.S. Government's Secret Mission to Find a Miracle Cure
Karen M. Masterson
6 Customer Reviews
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Released: Oct 7, 2014. 409 pages. Large file size: 14 MB. Title may take longer to download
A fascinating and shocking historical exposé, The Malaria Project is the story of America's secret mission to combat malaria during World War II—a campaign modeled after a German project which tested experimental drugs on men gone mad from syphilis.
American war planners, foreseeing the tactical need for a malaria drug, recreated the German model, then grew it tenfold. Quickly becoming the biggest and most important medical initiative of the war, the project tasked dozens of the country’s top research scientists and university labs to find a treatment to remedy half a million U.S. troops incapacitated by malaria.
Spearheading the new U.S. effort was Dr. Lowell T. Coggeshall, the son of a poor Indiana farmer whose persistent drive and curiosity led him to become one of the most innovative thinkers in solving the malaria problem. He recruited private corporations, such as today's Squibb and Eli Lilly, and the nation’s best chemists out of Harvard and Johns Hopkins to make novel compounds that skilled technicians tested on birds. Giants in the field of clinical research, including the future NIH director James Shannon, then tested the drugs on mental health patients and convicted criminals—including infamous murderer Nathan Leopold.
By 1943, a dozen strains of malaria brought home in the veins of sick soldiers were injected into these human guinea pigs for drug studies. After hundreds of trials and many deaths, they found their “magic bullet,” but not in a U.S. laboratory. America 's best weapon against malaria, still used today, was captured in battle from the Nazis. Called chloroquine, it went on to save more lives than any other drug in history.
Karen M. Masterson, a journalist turned malaria researcher, uncovers the complete story behind this dark tale of science, medicine and war. Illuminating, riveting and surprising, The Malaria Project captures the ethical perils of seeking treatments for disease while ignoring the human condition.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found this review helpful: A chilling tale October 30, 2014 by Henry R. Rupp "Impaired collector" The story of the United States' effort to combat the malaria that wreaked havoc on American troops during World War II is one that describes heroic efforts by scientists in their battle against Plasmodium as well as detailing the questionable conduct of those responsible for testing the drugs that might cure malaria. It is ironic that the German doctor who experimented on prisoners at Dachau was hanged for his efforts, while no American scientist was taken to task for their use of demented syphillitics or insane people as guinea pigs.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful: the greatest scourge in human history
December 23, 2014 by Stephen Young Amazon Verified Purchase
Karen Masterson's book is a fascinating read, a deep dive into the lively history of the U.S. government's efforts to discover a wonder cure for malaria, the greatest scourge in human history. The section on how research into a cure for malaria led, almost accidentally, to a partially effective treatment for syphilis is a real-life page- turner. The careful descriptions of malaria research in the Nazi death camps versus U.S programs using prisoners is a compelling tale in shades of dark gray. But the most important part of Masterson's book is her conclusion: that the
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A very interesting and good read about an important topic January 11, 2015 by David M. A very interesting and good read about an important topic. Very relevant for understanding how to address other public health issues.
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Sales Rank: #427,123 Paid in Kindle Store Language: English Print Length: 409 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451467329
Released: Oct 7, 2014 Publisher: NAL Sold By: Penguin Group (USA) LLC File Size: 14 MB ASIN: B00INIJLS8
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