The Holocaust stands alone as the singular example of medically sanctioned genocide in history. In an unprecedented breach of medical ethics, German doctors willingly participated in every aspect of its planning and implementation.
To say that the Holocaust was an instance of “medicine gone mad” ignores the moral beliefs that allowed those sworn to the Hippocratic tenet of healing to become killers, actively engaged in the labeling, persecution, experimentation and murder of millions.
Scientific advances, political influence, and ethical challenges have created an environment within healthcare that warrants the examination of medicine during the Holocaust as a framework for considering current bio-ethical debates. Issues facing modern society include:
- Beginning and end of life care
- Human subject research ethics
- The treatment of vulnerable populations
- Physician participation in the death penalty and enhanced interrogation techniques.
The Maimonides Institute for Medicine, Ethics and the Holocaust (MIMEH) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that develops new research and creates educational programs targeted towards healthcare professionals.
Our mission is to explore the ethical implications of the medical transgressions that took place during the Holocaust. Our free, web-based programming can be accessed at any time of day, any day of the year, from anywhere in the world. Participating physicians, nurses and pharmacists can earn free Continuing Education credits.
Our goal is to break down the generational, geographic, professional and religious boundaries that have long plagued Holocaust education by emphasizing the continuing relevance and broad implications of this topic for modern scientific theory, medical practice, healthcare policy and human rights endeavors.
As the number of Holocaust survivors continues to dwindle, it is our obligation as a society to make sure that their stories and experiences are not forgotten. Millions of people were killed in the name of scientific progress in Nazi Germany. We must ensure that their suffering ultimately leads to the proliferation of a Righteous Medicine that places the dignity of the individual above all else.
By working together, we can ensure that “Never Again” applies to all people, in all areas of the world, at all times. Please join us in expanding the reach of education and awareness about this important topic by contributing to our campaign, visiting our website, participating in our programs and spreading the word about our organization via e-mail and social media.
