While not as widely remembered as other tragedies such as the Aberfan disaster or the Hillsborough stadium crush, the infected blood scandal of the 1970s and 1980s demands our attention and compassion. This shocking event involved thousands of people worldwide receiving blood transfusions or injections containing deadly viruses. It was a tale of governmental indifference, medical malpractice, and corporate greed. Patients, including vulnerable haemophiliacs, were unknowingly used as human guinea pigs, while pharmaceutical companies knowingly sold infected blood products at low prices to countries prioritizing affordability. Crucial records were mysteriously destroyed, and victims were denied information about their infections until after they had signed away their legal rights. The books “Death in the Blood” by Caroline Wheeler and “The Poison Line” by Cara McGoogan explore the depths of this scandal, with McGoogan’s book offering an international perspective. Despite some improvements, these books serve as a stark reminder that similar situations could occur again if authorities choose to cover up the truth.
One location for these unethical experiments was Treloar’s, a boarding school for disabled children in Hampshire. Dr. Arthur Bloom, a renowned haematologist at the time, played a central role and supposedly allowed the use of infected blood products on his patients. Medical records have been lost or destroyed, but it is estimated that nearly one in three victims infected with HIV through contaminated NHS blood products were children. Wheeler’s book focuses on the UK victims, while McGoogan expands the scope to include the origins of these infected products in a Louisiana prison in the United States. Both authors recount heartbreaking stories of patients suffering and dying from this tragedy, highlighting the need for accountability.
Unfortunately, justice has been slow to come for the victims. France jailed a senior haematologist in the 1990s, and Japan reached a financial settlement with victims in 1996. However, in the UK, the public inquiry’s final report, originally expected in the autumn, has been delayed until March, prolonging the suffering of those affected. Wheeler and McGoogan’s books shed light on this shameful affair and the ongoing fight for recognition and compensation. The story remains unfinished, but thanks to the bravery of the affected community, the truth is slowly being revealed. Join our online book group on Facebook at FT Books Café to discuss these insightful works.
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