Willowbrook State School Study

The Willowbrook State School Study was a controversial research project conducted in the 1960s at a New York facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Researchers aimed to understand the spread of hepatitis among residents, who faced overcrowding and poor living conditions. While the study provided valuable data on the disease, it raised significant ethical concerns, as many residents were uninformed and unable to give consent. The outcry over the study contributed to changes in how research involving vulnerable populations is conducted, emphasizing informed consent and ethical standards in medical research.