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Rocklin, California — Peter Buxtun, the courageous whistleblower who exposed the U.S. government’s unethical Tuskegee syphilis study, has passed away at the age of 86. Buxtun died on May 18 from Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by his attorney, Minna Fernan.
Buxtun’s legacy as a hero in public health ethics is indelible, credited with illuminating one of the most egregious medical research scandals in American history. His revelations, along with documentation provided to The Associated Press, led to a national outcry and ultimately the termination of the study in 1972.
The Tuskegee study, initiated in 1932, involved 400 Black men in rural Alabama infected with syphilis. Despite the availability of antibiotics in the 1940s, federal health officials deliberately withheld treatment to observe the disease’s progression. This decision highlighted a deep-seated ethical violation that went largely unchallenged for decades.
Buxtun, who was employed by the federal public health service in San Francisco during the 1960s, first learned of the study when he overheard a colleague discussing it. Although it had been the subject of numerous medical journal articles, serious ethical scrutiny was almost nonexistent. As CDC official Ted Pestorius noted in a 2022 program, “This study was completely accepted by the American medical community.”
In response to his concerns, Buxtun penned a letter in 1966 to CDC officials, urging for the treatment of the men involved. His pleas were met with hostility during a subsequent meeting in Atlanta, where he faced reprimand from agency leaders. Undeterred, Buxtun left the U.S. Public Health Service and pursued a law degree, remaining troubled by the ongoing study.
In 1972, Buxtun courageously shared documents related to the Tuskegee study with AP reporter Edith Lederer, which ultimately led to a groundbreaking exposé by Jean Heller. Her article, published on July 25, 1972, sparked Congressional hearings and a class-action lawsuit, resulting in a $10 million settlement and the study’s cessation just months later. President Bill Clinton formally apologized for the study in 1997, calling it “shameful.”
Lille Tyson Head, leader of a group honoring the study’s participants, expressed gratitude for Buxtun’s integrity and bravery: “We are thankful for his honesty and his courage.”
Buxtun was born in Prague in 1937, fleeing Nazi occupation with his family in 1939. They settled in Oregon, where Buxtun’s life experiences fueled his moral convictions, particularly regarding the Tuskegee study. He often drew parallels between the study and Nazi medical experiments, advocating for the humane treatment of the participants.
His advocacy extended beyond Tuskegee, with Buxtun actively participating in discussions and presentations about the ethical implications of medical research. Friends described him as wise, witty, and generous, with a passion for personal freedoms.
David M. Golden, a close friend for over 25 years, remarked, “Peter was wise, witty, classy and unceasingly generous.” Another friend, Angie Bailie, noted the emotional weight Buxtun carried during his talks, often fighting back tears as he recounted the story of Tuskegee.
Despite facing considerable backlash from health officials for his actions, Buxtun maintained a humble perspective on his role in the scandal, once stating, “It wasn’t strength; it was stupidity,” in reference to his decision to blow the whistle.
Peter Buxtun’s legacy will forever resonate in the fields of public health and ethics, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity in medical research.
