Jewish teaching
Sir: Patrick Marnham alleges 'it is accepted Jewish teaching that medical experiments can be carried out on gentiles'. This is completely incorrect.
The Chief Rabbi, Dr Immanuel Jakobovits, an acknowledged world authority on the subject, wrote in his recently revised edition of Jewish Medical Ethics on the question of medical experiments on humans: 'Possibly hazardous experiments may be performed on humans only if they can be potentially helpful to the subject himself, however remote the chances of success are.
'In all cases, it is as wrong to volunteer for such experiments as it is unethical to submit persons to them, whether with or without their consent, and whether they are normal people, criminals, prisoners, cripples, idiots, or patients on their deathbed.'
In respect of these rulings there is no difference whatsoever whether Jews Or gentiles are involved.
Moshe Davis Executive Director, Office of the Chief Rabbi, Alder House, Tavistock Square, London WC1
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