I was twenty-two and worked as a life science rep in Johannesburg and Pretoria at the time. One of my customers was the now infamous Roodeplaat Research Laboratories. In the middle of nowhere, it wasn't the kind of place you could just drop in on. Over a couple of years, I built up a relationship with some of the workers there and had a tour around the facilities. Without knowing exactly what they were up to, what I saw was very upsetting. There were rumours of course, and reps were security checked. But then, that was common place at many labs at that time. I needed a security pass for the atomic energy corporation and the vaccine labs too. The common link between these organisations was that they were run by the Afrikaner elite, not government but definitely government sanctioned.
That's not to say that the science wasn't good. On the contrary, the science was exceptional, and produced quality research. Many of these scientists have since left South Africa and have prestigious careers internationally.
I once had occasion to meet Dr Wouter Basson. He was charming, quiet but powerful. He is a brilliant scientist. No surprise then that he is now a cardiologist. His past, however, is coming back to haunt him. And twenty years on, the dark secrets are out - again. It was talked about in certain circles back then, but somewhat hushed up.
I watch with interest how the South African media will handle it this time. That this research was justified by the South African government of the time still makes me sick. That the results of the research is still being used by governments against their own people is more sickening.
Another reminder that in science the end doesn't always justify the means, and that all scientists have a duty to carefully consider how their research will be used.