9 Unethical Psychological Experiments That Actually Happened
3. The Case of David Reimer
In 1966, Canadian twins Bruce and Brian Reimer were taken to hospital for routine circumcisions but, due to a medical accident, Bruces penis was damaged beyond repair. The boys parents became worried for his long term psychological wellbeing and took him to see Dr John Money, an expert in gender identity. Dr Money suggested that Bruce should be given a sex change and raised as a woman, though critics believe he was more concerned with comparing the effect of nature and nurture on gender identity. Identical twins would make a perfect case study, so there are doubts as to whether he really had Bruces best interests at heart. Bruce became Brenda and continued visiting Dr Money for psychological tests for the next ten years. Reimer claims that at these sessions Money would force the twins to engage in disturbing sexual rehearsal play in which the two were instructed to remove their clothes and get into various inappropriate positions. In early adulthood, Reimers parents finally told him the truth about his past, as he was suffering with conflicting feelings regarding his gender. He then had a reverse sex change and became David but committed suicide at age 38, two years after his twin Brian took his own life also. All in all its a tragic case that could have gone very differently if the patients wellbeing had been the number one priority.
Peter Austin initially joined WhatCulture as an occasional contributor to our Film, Gaming and Science sections, but made the mistake of telling us that he'd been making videos in his bedroom for over a decade. Since then he's been a vital member of our YouTube team and routinely sets the standard for smart-casual wear in the office.
