Minnesota Starvation Experiment

Experiment

• Allies that liberated concentration camps in starving areas
• People who have been starved for a while, when given access to lots of food would die (heart attack, other issues)
• What is the best way to renourish?
• Ansel Keyes runs a minnesota starvation experiment, works as follows:
  • 36 young men that are objectors to the war (Quakers)
  • For 12 weeks, fed 3200 calories a day
  • For 24 weeks, fed 1560 calories a day
  • For 12 weeks, rehab diet. More carbs, protiens, various different diets
  • For 8 weeks, unrestricted time, evaluation of results
• Subjects allowed to leave at any time

Results

• 25% weight loss from normal BMI
• Two subjects were dismissed for eating other food
• All subjects experienced psychological effects like:
  • Hysteria
  • Hypochondria
  • Self Harm
  • Depression

Response

• Study was not ethical, permanent effects on participants
• They could have studied existing starving person, but less controlled study, might be a tougher ask aswell
• Researchers could have not forseen the effects
• Starving people is just too much harm in a study
• Respondants respond that they would still participate again. Humanity has improved, they knew it wouldnt be easy but they were prepared. No resentment to researchers