“One in ten patients dies from treatment, not from disease”
Just like today. The RKI continues the work! At the time, Robert Koch tried to desperately prove that people were infected by viruses and bacteria, but he never actually succeeded. The truth is that no one has ever been able to prove that people are infected by viruses and bacteria. In fact, no one has ever been able to prove the existence of viruses. If people knew that it was Louis Pasteur who “proved” “infection” by injecting substances from sick animals into the brains of healthy animals and that the entire science of virology today is based on this, they would certainly no longer participate in this whole virus circus and the truth about health in connection with the “5 Biological Laws of Nature” would inevitably come to light!
The significant yet often overlooked colonial medical crimes committed by Robert Koch, a prominent German scientist known for founding medical microbiology. Although Koch is celebrated for his groundbreaking discoveries, including identifying the tuberculosis bacterium and formulating Koch’s postulates, his involvement in unethical medical practices during colonial times remains largely unaddressed.
Despite his scientific accolades, Koch’s legacy is tainted by his actions during colonial expeditions, particularly in German East Africa (present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda).
Colonial Medical Crimes
In the early 20th century, reports emerged about African Trypanosomiasis (commonly known as sleeping sickness) in German East Africa. This disease, caused by the Trypanosoma parasite and transmitted by the tsetse fly, led to widespread suffering and death among the local population. The colonial authorities viewed the epidemic as a threat to their control over the region due to the loss of laborers needed for infrastructure development
In response to the outbreak, Koch led an expedition to investigate potential treatments. He conducted experiments using Atoxyl, an arsenic-based drug, on thousands of infected individuals without adhering to ethical standards or obtaining informed consent. Despite knowing about the drug’s severe side effects—including blindness—Koch continued administering it at high doses. Many patients suffered irreversible harm or died as a result of these experiments
Legacy and Recognition
Koch’s contributions to science are often highlighted without acknowledging his role in these human rights abuses. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), named after him and responsible for public health research in Germany, has faced criticism for failing to adequately address this dark aspect of his legacy. Instead, the RKI tends to glorify his scientific achievements while minimizing or glossing over his colonial medical practices.
Conclusion
The discussion surrounding Robert Koch’s legacy emphasizes a crucial need for a comprehensive reevaluation of historical figures in medicine. Acknowledging both their contributions and their ethical failures is essential in understanding the full impact of their work on marginalized populations. The colonial medical crimes committed during Koch’s expeditions. and such which were conducted on grounds of propagandistic narratives of today must not be forgotten; instead, they should serve as a reminder of the importance of ethical standards in medical research and practice.
