Willowbrook on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Willowbrook Hepatitis Study
Willowbrook Mile
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2022
1. Willowbrook Hepatitis Study Marker (Missing!)
In the Willowbrook Hepatitis Study (1956-1971), NYU medical researchers intentionally infected about 700 residents ages five to ten with hepatitis to study the viral disease. They justified this with claims that hepatitis infections were already high among residents, and children would be infected anyway. But critics decried the ethics of the research. Researchers coerced parents' consent with promises of better care for participants and by not revealing their exposure to danger without benefit. Therefore, parents' consent was not given freely and was not "informed consent." Further, test subjects faced unacceptable risks: a number became life-long carriers of hepatitis, suffering long-term or permanent health effects, including liver damage and shortened lives.
The Hepatitis Study, along with the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study, is now condemned as a key example of unethical human experimentation on vulnerable test subjects-children, prison inmates, mental patients, the underprivileged, and communities of color. In 1974, inspired by Willowbrook and Tuskegee, Congress passed the National Research Act, with federal
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Erected 2022 by College of Staten Island, City University of New York. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the New York, Staten Island, Willowbrook Mile series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 35.827′ N, 74° 8.87′ W. Marker was on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It was in Willowbrook. It could be reached from Loop Road west of D Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2800T Victory Blvd, Staten Island NY 10314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in New York City. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Willowbrook Archives (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building 19 (about 800 feet away); Building 29 (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Promise Fulfilled (approx. 0.2 miles away); Consent Judgment (approx. 0.2 miles away); Halloran Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Institute for Basic Research (approx. Ό mile away); Isolation to Inclusion (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Gouvernor State School (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Willowbrook Hepatitis Study. The grounds of the notorious Willowbrook State School are now home to the College of Staten Island campus of CUNY.
Also see . . .
1. Willowbrook State School. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. College of Staten Island/CUNY. Website homepage (Submitted on February 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. medical ethics; bioethics
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,047 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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