The sterilisation procedures were conducted on a massive scale
Throughout history, a multitude of experiments have been carried out on South Asians.
It is assumed by most that scientific studies are done to improve the quality of life and the human condition overall or toward a significant advancement in knowledge.
Some experiment findings can be groundbreaking and justify any issues such as large costs.
However, others make you question the purpose of the study in the first place.
We explore some less widely known studies that involved South Asians in significant ways.
Sterilisation of South Asians
Forced sterilisation, especially as part of government-sponsored or sanctioned programs, has been a historical issue in various parts of the world, including South Asia.
During the mid-20th century, some South Asian countries, including India, implemented population control measures to address concerns about overpopulation.
These measures often included incentivising or even sometimes coercing individuals, particularly women, into undergoing sterilisation procedures. This was done to limit population growth.
In India, one of the most well-known instances of forced sterilisation occurred during the Emergency period (1975-1977). The government, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, implemented a coercive sterilisation campaign.
This campaign was part of the broader population control programme and was marked by reports of human rights abuses, including forced sterilisations, often targeting marginalised communities.
The sterilisation procedures were conducted on a massive scale, and many women were subjected to the procedures without their informed consent.
Reports suggest that the government set targets for the number of sterilisations to be performed.
This led to local officials sometimes resorting to coercive and unethical means to meet those targets.
These actions were widely criticised both domestically and internationally. Forced sterilisation is universally condemned as a violation of human rights and is considered a dark chapter in the history of public health policies in some regions.
Radioactive Chapatis
In August 2023, it was revealed that South Asian women living in Coventry in the 1960s were given radioactive chapatis.
Chapatis contained Iron-59, an iron isotope with a gamma-beta emitter.
This was part of a 1969 research trial into iron deficiency in Coventry’s South Asian population.
Chapatis containing the isotope were sent to participants’ homes.
In order to determine how much iron had been absorbed, their radiation levels were evaluated at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, Oxfordshire.
Not only did the women not speak much English but they did not provide informed consent and did not know isotopes were being given by them.
The study was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and was led by Cardiff University’s Professor Peter Elwood.
Indian Migration Study
The objective of the Indian Migration Study (IMS) is to be a collaborative project that looks at the relationship between urbanisation, lifestyle and chronic diseases in the Indian population.
This study is based on population investigations and involves collecting data from people who moved from rural to urban areas and the difference between people who choose to stay in rural settings.
Findings from the Indian Migration Study have contributed valuable information for public health interventions and policies aimed at addressing the rising rate of diseases.
It is worth noting that the Indian Migration Study is an example of a well-conducted research project that contributes to understanding health trends in South Asian populations.
Somatisation & Cultural Syndromes
Some South Asian populations may express their distress through physical symptoms, a phenomenon known as somatisation.
Researchers have explored cultural syndromes specific to South Asians, such as ‘Dhat Syndrome’ in India.
Subsequently, experiments were conducted to understand the cultural context of these conditions.
South Asian college students were assessed for somatisation symptoms, stress levels and cultural identity.
Findings from the study indicated a link between high levels of academic stress and somatisation symptoms.
This emphasised the need for targeted mental health support for South Asian students.
Improving Life with Diabetes in South Asians
An example of an important diabetes-related study that involved South Asian participants is the ‘Diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program (D-CLIP)’, conducted in India.
The D-CLIP study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a community-based lifestyle intervention programme in preventing and managing diabetes among South Asian individuals at high risk of developing the condition.
D-CLIP carried out a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, where participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a control group receiving standard care.
The intervention involved lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavioural counselling, to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
The D-CLIP study demonstrated that a community-based lifestyle intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of diabetes among high-risk South Asian individuals.
Participants in the intervention group showed improvements in dietary habits, increased physical activity and better management of diabetes risk factors.
The findings from the study were significant because they addressed the growing prevalence of diabetes in South Asian populations and provided evidence for the effectiveness of community-based interventions in preventing and managing the condition.
The findings also had positive implications for public health strategies aimed at diabetes prevention in similar populations.
Climate Change & Violence
One study conducted in South Asia investigated the link between rising global temperatures and domestic violence.
The study, published by JAMA Psychiatry, compared the rates of violence on women in Pakistan, India and Nepal.
The study found that for every 1°C increase in temperature, rates of violence went up on average by 6.3%.
The biggest increase in violence occurred in India with an 8% increase in physical violence and a 7.3% increase in sexual violence.
Previous experiments have linked temperature increases with a higher likelihood of riots, civil wars and violent crimes like rape and mass shootings.
It is still unclear whether increased aggression is a direct result of rising temperatures or if the increased temperature is multiplying the effects rather than being a direct cause.
In the Indian study, higher temperatures could also mean less viable crops/loss of income and financial strain. Thus exacerbating any issues already there.
Rawalpindi Experiments
There were instances during World War II when mustard gas experiments were conducted on Indian and other Commonwealth soldiers.
One of the notable incidents occurred in 1942-1943 when the British military conducted mustard gas experiments in Rawalpindi on Indian soldiers.
The experiments were part of the British military’s efforts to understand the effects of mustard gas and develop effective treatments and protective measures.
Soldiers were exposed to mustard gas to study its impact on the human body and to test various protective clothing and equipment.
The exposure of soldiers to harmful substances without their knowledge or consent is now recognised as a breach of ethical standards.
Rotavirus Vaccine Study
The rotavirus vaccine trial was conducted in India between 2011 and 2012 to test the effectiveness of a new vaccine against rotavirus, a leading cause of severe diarrhoea in children.
This study was backed by private investors including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The participants who were in the control group were given a saltwater placebo instead of being properly treated.
This kind of experiment would never pass regulations in the US and called into question all clinical studies taking place in developing countries.
There were also concerns that parents were not fully informed about the nature of the trial and the potential risks involved.
This case indicated the importance of clear communication, transparency, and informed consent procedures especially in developing countries.
Colonial Experiments
During the colonial period, the British conducted various experiments in India, both scientific and administrative, often driven by economic interests and imperial ambitions.
These experiments often had complex and varied consequences for the people of India, with some developments benefiting the colonial rulers more than the local population.
The legacy of British colonial rule continues to influence India’s socio-economic and political landscape.
Testing policies on the Indian population such as introducing land revenue systems which tax landowners based on the cultivation of the land. The introduction of these policies was an experiment in itself.
Various systems were implemented in different areas with various negative consequences for those who worked the land including increasing poverty and loss of land.
The benefit of most colonial experiments seemed to favour the British in gaining wealth or knowledge.
The British experimented with introducing new crops like tea, coffee, and indigo. All of which had both positive and negative impacts on Indian agriculture.
For example, the cultivation of indigo led to the infamous Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 due to the exploitative practices associated with its cultivation.
It is crucial to recognise that ethical considerations are paramount in any research involving human subjects.
We need to recognise the importance of research that specifically targets South Asians and evaluates the effectiveness of interventions tailored to their cultural and lifestyle context.
Contemporary research practices claim to prioritise the protection of participants’ rights, informed consent, and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Unfortunately for the South Asian population, these guidelines have not been applied as vigorously throughout our shared history.
More and more stories are coming out in recent years in which experiments were carried out without prioritising the safety of participants.
Today, regulations are very strict and scientists and researchers are more accountable. This does not mean that shady practices will never occur again.
South Asians are proven to be more sceptical of doctors’ medical advice and scientists in general. Perhaps this is the reason why.