The Experiments

The Experiments

From File on 4 Investigates by BBC Radio 4

April 20, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

Jack Butcher investigates allegations of medical abuse in West German welfare institutions during the mid-20th century.

Jack Butcher investigates allegations that children in West German welfare institutions were subjected to widespread medical abuse, including medical experiments. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many children found themselves in West Germany's sprawling network of children's institutions. In recent years, Germany has been shocked by revelations that some were used as guinea pigs for powerful new drugs, including potent anti-psychotics, as doctors worked hand in hand with pharmaceutical companies to observe the effects of new medications on young children. The allegations were first brought to public attention by Sylvia Wagner, a pharmaceutical historian who grew up in a care home, and whose own brother was a victim of medical abuse. Pulling together Sylvia's research, speaking to victims and digging through the documentation, Jack Butcher and reporter Ilona Toller, who led a major investigation of the scandal for German national radio, lay bare the horrendous human cost and tell the story of the tenacious activists who have challenged the conscience of their nation. Producer and Presenter: Jack Butcher With reporting from Ilona Toller and Anouk Millet, and additional research…

People in this episode

Host: Jack Butcher

Topics covered

  • medical abuse
  • children's welfare
  • pharmaceutical experiments
  • activism
  • historical investigation

Keywords

  • medical experiments
  • West Germany
  • children
  • pharmaceutical companies
  • activists

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Whistledown

Places: West Germany

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