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Nov 14 2016

History of Torture | History of Medicine Lecture by Robert Rakel, MD | Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30pm

Posted bySarah AndrewsPosted inEducation, Lectures and Discussions, Rare Book RoomTags:, ,

The University of Iowa History of Medicine Society November lecture by Robert Rakel:
The History of Torture, including the experience of Janusz Bardach 

picture of Robert Rakel,
Robert Rakel, Professor Emeritus, Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

Thursday, November 17
5:30-6:30pm
2117 MERF (Medical Education Research Facility

 

Torture has existed for most of recorded history.  Until the 2nd Century torture was only used on slaves, on the assumption that slaves could not be trusted to reveal the truth voluntarily.

This talk will focus on doctors who torture, and those who are tortured because they refuse to participate.  Stanley Milgram’s classic study at Yale showed how easily ordinary people can become torturers.

Recent atrocities will be discussed: Russian gulags under Stalin, Germany during WWII, the British in Northern Ireland, and The United States.

Janusz Bardach, MD worked at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and wrote two books about his experiences as a gulag prisoner.

Please consider donating online to the University of Iowa History of Medicine Society to sponsor events.

Nazi prisoners in concentration camp at Sachsenhausen, 1938 photo from NARA
Nazi prisoners in concentration camp at Sachsenhausen, 1938
photo from NARA

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program please call Janna Lawrence at 319-335-9871.