Zeidman Lawrence A
From the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois at Chicago.
Neurology. 2017 Mar 14;88(11):1089-1094. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000003712.
Several neuropathologists conducted brain research on victims of so-called euthanasia programs carried out by the National Socialist (Nazi) regime in Germany from 1940 to 1945. Some published their results in German journals or books during and after the war. One of these neuropathologists was Hans Jacob of Hamburg, a former Nazi party member and the leader of the same laboratory previously run by Alfons Jakob (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). Though much has been published on the unethical actions of Jacob's fellow neuropathologist from Berlin, Julius Hallervorden, Jacob's actions were remarkably similar and have not been previously analyzed in the neuroscience literature. Jacob dissected at least 42 patient brains from euthanasia centers near Hamburg, and saved the specimens from at least 17 of them. He published a 1956 book chapter featuring 2 such specimens. Jacob was denazified, had a notable career, and never publicly addressed his actions during the war. His ethical violations may not have been on the same scale as Hallervorden's, but the effect of his work echoes to the modern era. As responsible researchers, we must always be conscious of the provenance of material provided and not succumb to opportunistic temptation despite the ethical consequences.
几位神经病理学家对1940年至1945年德国纳粹政权实施的所谓安乐死计划的受害者进行了脑部研究。一些人在战争期间及战后将研究结果发表在德语期刊或书籍上。其中一位神经病理学家是汉堡的汉斯·雅各布，他曾是纳粹党员，也是之前由阿尔方斯·雅各布（克雅二氏病）管理的同一实验室的负责人。尽管关于雅各布来自柏林的神经病理学同行尤利乌斯·哈勒沃登的不道德行为已经有很多报道，但雅各布的行为与之极为相似，且此前在神经科学文献中尚未得到分析。雅各布解剖了至少42名来自汉堡附近安乐死中心的患者大脑，并保存了其中至少17人的标本。他在1956年出版的一本书的章节中展示了2个这样的标本。雅各布被解除纳粹身份，有着引人注目的职业生涯，并且从未公开谈论过他在战争期间的行为。他的道德违规行为可能没有哈勒沃登那么严重，但他的工作影响一直延续到了现代。作为有责任感的研究人员，我们必须始终清楚所提供材料的来源，并且无论道德后果如何，都不能屈从于机会主义的诱惑。
