Behind the Bastards: Part One – How Tainted Human Blood Became A Major U.S. Export

Release Date: March 25, 2025 | Host: Robert Evans | Guest: Ben Bolin | Production: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the premiere episode of Behind the Bastards, host Robert Evans welcomes guest Ben Bolin to delve into the dark underbelly of the U.S. blood industry. The conversation swiftly transitions from light-hearted banter to the unsettling reality of how human blood became a significant export commodity, particularly through exploitative practices within the Arkansas prison system.

The Scale of the U.S. Blood Industry

Robert Evans opens by highlighting the staggering economic footprint of the blood industry in the United States. "Blood is the 9th largest export for the entire United States" (02:55), surpassed only by commodities like coal. The U.S. supplies approximately 70% of the global demand for blood plasma used in medicine, positioning it as the world's leading exporter of blood products (04:09). This export is valued at around $37 billion, constituting 1.8% of all U.S. exports—a significant increase from a decade prior.

Evolution of Blood Transfusions and Blood Products

The discussion traces the history of blood transfusions, noting early, often ineffective attempts in the 17th century. By the mid-19th century, advancements led to more successful transfusions, though challenges like blood type compatibility remained unresolved. "The first successful transfusion is generally listed as 1818... It was done by a British doctor treating a postpartum hemorrhage" (16:00). Over time, the medical community learned to separate blood into components like plasma, which became essential for treatments such as factor VIII for hemophiliacs, significantly increasing their life expectancy (17:36).

Problems with Paid Blood Donations

Despite blood being a cornerstone of modern medicine, the supply has historically been insufficient, leading to a commodification of blood. Evans explains that the scarcity drives companies to seek blood from marginalized populations, including the poor, homeless, IV drug users, and prisoners. "There's never just enough donations. Now, there's some reasons for that... but even if you were to solve for those problems, there's still never going to be enough of this stuff" (23:44).

Exploitation within the Arkansas Prison System

A focal point of the episode is the exploitation of inmates in Arkansas for blood donations. In the late 1960s, companies like Health Education Consultants (later HMA) began leveraging the prison population due to legal loopholes and minimal oversight. "Arkansas prisons don't allow inmates to work for money. So the blood donation program is going to become the only way Arkansas prison inmates can get cash" (41:23). This system was further entrenched by the involvement of Governor Bill Clinton and his associates, who facilitated contracts that allowed for-profit companies to manage prison health services, including plasma donations.

Unethical Practices and Health Risks

Significant misconduct plagued the Arkansas plasma program. Former inmate donor John Schock testified to receiving hepatitis C through the plasma donation process, asserting, "I am damn sure I got it. Hepatitis C in the prison. I didn't have it before I went in" (56:36). The reuse of needles to cut costs not only increased the risk of disease transmission but also compromised the integrity of the blood supply. Additionally, there were allegations of guards trading drugs for plasma donations, pressuring inmates to donate under duress.

Regulatory Failures and Cover-Ups

Despite mounting evidence of malpractice, regulatory bodies exhibited lax oversight. The FDA's non-binding recommendations in the early 1980s did little to curb the unethical practices. When HMA's operations were exposed in 1984 for distributing tainted plasma, the response was insufficient. "An investigation revealed that the program allowed disqualified donors to bleed, altered records, and stored plasma in ways that didn't prevent contamination" (50:58). Instead of dismantling the exploitative systems, associations within the prison system continued to prioritize profits over safety, often shielding offenders and perpetuating the cycle of exploitation.

Involvement of Clinton Associates

The episode underscores the political entanglements that sustained the blood plasma industry in Arkansas. Leonard Dunn, a banker with close ties to Governor Clinton, was appointed to significant positions that allowed him to influence and protect the plasma program. Moreover, Don Smith, HMA's attorney, was appointed to the Board of Corrections, ensuring continued profitability despite the evident risks and ethical breaches.

Consequences and Broader Implications

The exploitation of prison inmates for blood donations had far-reaching consequences, including the spread of infectious diseases both within prisons and globally through exported blood products. "Treating these people like shit causes problems outside of them, even if you don't care about that group of people" (57:57). The episode emphasizes that such systemic abuses not only harm the vulnerable populations directly involved but also compromise public health on a broader scale.

Conclusion and Cliffhanger

As the episode draws to a close, Robert and Ben reflect on the intertwined nature of societal systems and the pervasive impact of greed-driven exploitation. They hint at further revelations in the next part of the series, leaving listeners eager to uncover the full extent of the blood industry's dark history.

"That's going to be in part two. How you feeling, Ben?" (70:28)

Notable Quotes

• Robert Evans (02:55): "Blood is the 9th largest export for the entire United States."

• John Schock (56:36): "I am damn sure I got it. Hepatitis C in the prison. I didn't have it before I went in."

• Robert Evans (57:57): "Treating these people like shit causes problems outside of them, even if you don't care about that group of people."

Key Takeaways

1. Economic Impact: The U.S. blood industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector, ranking as the 9th largest exporter globally, predominantly driven by plasma exports essential for medical treatments worldwide.

2. Exploitation and Ethics: The scarcity of blood donations led to the exploitation of vulnerable populations, especially inmates in Arkansas, facilitated by political figures including Governor Clinton and his associates.

3. Health Risks: Unethical practices, such as reusing needles and insufficient screening, resulted in the spread of bloodborne diseases like hepatitis and HIV, compromising both inmates' health and global blood safety.

4. Regulatory Failures: Lax oversight and non-binding regulations allowed exploitative practices to flourish, with significant cover-ups preventing accountability and perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

5. Broader Implications: The systemic mistreatment of marginalized groups for blood donations not only harms the individuals involved but also threatens public health on a global scale, highlighting the interconnectedness of societal injustices.

Looking Forward

Behind the Bastards sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the systemic failures and individual malfeasance that allowed the tainted blood industry to flourish. Part Two promises to unravel the consequences and the intricate web of corruption that sustained these unethical practices, ensuring listeners remain engaged and informed about this dark chapter in medical and economic history.