More than 50 years ago, nearly a dozen men incarcerated in Philly enrolled in an experiment funded by Johnson & Johnson, according to unsealed documents. Now, those studies have come back to haunt J&J.
More than 50 years ago, nearly a dozen men incarcerated in Philadelphia enrolled in an experiment funded by Johnson & Johnson, according to unsealed documents. Now, those studies have come back to haunt the world’s largest maker of health-care products.
While they didn’t dispute that the company hired Kligman in the 1960s to conduct baby powder tests, J&J officials said they regretted the firm’s involvement with the dermatologist. Still, they noted that the tests didn’t violate research standards at the time. “We deeply regret the conditions under which these studies were conducted, and in no way do they reflect the values or practices we employ today,” said Kim Montagnino, a company spokeswoman.
Asbestos, a mineral often found where talc is mined, was identified as a carcinogen by U.S. researchers in the 1950s. J&J has steadfastly maintained that there has never been asbestos in its talc, and it hasn’t accepted responsibility for any injuries blamed on the product. “This is some pretty horrific stuff and the plaintiffs will definitely want to use it to show J&J’s handling of its baby powder line over the years hasn’t been the greatest,” Tobias said.