18 Experiments That Crossed Every Line, Ranked By Cruelty

After U.S. nuclear tests in the Pacific, scientists studied the effects of radiation exposure on residents of the Marshall Islands. Communities affected by tests like Castle Bravo were monitored for illnesses linked to fallout, including thyroid problems. Critics argued that many islanders were recruited as research subjects after being placed in harm’s way. The controversy sparked years of debate over government responsibility and compensation.