The Nazi doctors and the Nuremberg Code

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The atrocities committed by Nazi physicians during World War II led to the creation of the Nuremberg Code, which established the ethical framework for medical experimentation on human subjects. This book explores the origins and implications of this pivotal document through contributions from experts in history, philosophy, medicine, and law, including the chief prosecutor of the Nuremberg Military Tribunal and a survivor of the Mengele twin experiments. It addresses critical issues in science and law, such as the ethics of human experimentation and informed consent, while examining the Code's influence on today's international human rights agenda. Early chapters provide context on the Code's creation, modern parallels, and the current views of German physicians regarding Nazi-era crimes. The narrative progresses to a detailed account of the Doctors' Trial at Nuremberg, its verdict, and the subsequent development of the Code. The book assesses the Code's impact on American and international law, questioning its relevance today. The editors conclude with insights on future developments and propose an international covenant on human experimentation, enforceable by an international court. This comprehensive work is essential reading for physicians, legal professionals, bioethicists, historians, biomedical researchers, and engaged laypersons.