麻豆社

Jack Butcher investigates allegations that children in the care of the West German state were systematically abused and subjected to medical experiments.

During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, many children found themselves in West Germany's sprawling network of childrens' homes. In recent years, Germany has been shocked by revelations that thousands of children in these institutions were used as guinea pigs for powerful drugs, including anti-depressants and 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 raised by Sylvia Wagner, a pharmaceutical historian who grew up in a care home, and whose own brother was a victim of medical abuse - and who now believes he may have been subjected to testing without his consent.

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
Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson
Sound Design: Phoebe McIndoe
Mix: Arlie Adlington

A Whistledown Production for 麻豆社 Radio 4