Robert Wartenberg and the Hallervorden Affair, 1953: A Clash Between Medical Ethics and Cold War Politics

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-28-2025

Publication Title

Neurology

Abstract

Robert Wartenberg was an emigrant from Nazi Germany and an iconic pioneer in neurology, describing eponyms and helping to found and nurture the American Academy of Neurology. However, in 1953, ironically, he became embroiled in a controversial event regarding the German neuroscientist and Nazi collaborator Julius Hallervorden. Wartenberg attempted to convince the Dutch delegation to attend the International Neurological Congress in Lisbon from which they had withdrawn in response to Hallervorden's inclusion as a speaker. In addition, he rallied neuroscientists worldwide to help convince the Dutch, largely ignoring and burying their concerns about Hallervorden's ethical transgressions. In numerous letters, Wartenberg wanted to both ignore and exonerate Hallervorden of ethical violations in collecting 700 brains from patients murdered in the Nazi euthanasia program. Wartenberg's unexpected defense of Hallervorden, despite not knowing him professionally, purportedly was to reintegrate German neuroscience to the international community and to create Western "unity" against communism. However, Wartenberg's efforts and the lack of international censure against Hallervorden prevented proper attention to the victims' brains that remained in Hallervorden's collection for decades and the use of these brains in scientific publications. Those who stood against Hallervorden have been vindicated by history, but work remains to uncover all brain specimens in German collections. Wartenberg's misguided and shortsighted involvement in this affair serves as a lesson for future generations of neurologists in the consequences of ignoring ethical concerns for expediency and politics.

Medical Subject Headings

History, 20th Century; Humans; National Socialism; Germany; Neurology; Ethics, Medical; Neurosciences; Politics

PubMed ID

39705629

Volume

104

Issue

2

First Page

210122

Last Page

210122

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