Keiko Suenaga
Abstract
This article introduces the life of Shomatsu Yokoyama ( 1913-1992), a physiologist and military doctor, to the reader. During the Sino-Japanese war, Yokoyama disobeyed orders given by his superior officer to conduct inhumane medical experiments on humans. Not only in Unit 731, but also in other units, many military doctors were involved in medical crimes against residents of the areas invaded by the Japanese Army. In human living-body experiments and vivisections were widely conducted at that time. There were, however, a small number of researchers who did not follow the orders to perform human body experiments. Highlighting the life of such a rare researcher for the purpose of ascertaining the reason for his noncompliance with the order will provide us with insights on medical ethics.
Suenaga K. Shomatsu Yokoyama, a Physiologist Who Refused to Conduct Experments on Living Human Bodies. Journal of Japanese History of Medicine (Nihon Ishigaku Zasshi). 2008;54(3):239-248.