Notification of the Ongoing Investigation Into Human Radiation Experiments Conducted Since 1944, and Formal Request of Any Records Regarding Such Instances at Tulane University

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Department of Defense Radiation Experiments Command Center New Orleans, Louisiana 701 18 The purpose of this letter is to notify you of the ongoing investigation into the nature and scope of human radiation experiments conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government since 1944 and to request formally that you locate and preserve any records of such experiments. We are contacting you because our records reflect that, pursuant to contracts with the War Department and the Department of the Army, your institution participated in human radiation experiments that fall within the scope of this investigation. Human radiation experiments include experiments on individuals involving intentional exposure to ionizing radiation, excluding common and routine clinical practices, and experiments involving intentional environmental releases of radiation that were designed either to test human health effects or to test the extent of human exposure to ionizing radiation. Information previously made public reflects a diversity of purposes for human radiation experiments conducted during the past fifty years. Many experiments advanced the state of medical and scientific understanding of radiation and resulted in enhanced use of radiation as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. However, some experiments raise questions concerning the nature and purpose for the experiments, selection of test subjects, and whether test subjects gave informed consent to participate in the experiments. The Clinton Administration has directed the Department of Defense (DoD) Radiation Experiments Command Center (RECC), as a member of the Human Radiation Interagency Working Group and in cooperation with an independent Advisory Committec on Human Radiation Experiments, to conduct a full and open investigation to obtain answers to these important questions. The results of the investigation will Le considered in formulating appropriate responses to the subjects of such experiments. Under Executive Order No. 12891 dated January 15, 1994, the President directed all Government agencies to provide the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments with information on such experiments. The DoD RECC has been an active participant in the proceedings of the Working Group and is assisting the Advisory Committee. In this role, we will need to examine any existing records that were generated in performance of the experiments. Any documents or records pertaining to human radiation experiments that you

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ic- possess should be identified and preserved so that they may be considered in the proceedings of the Human Radiation Interagency Working Group and the White House Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments. To assist in this effort, we request that you send us a copy of any and all documents and records in your possession pertaining to Government sponsored or funded human radiation experiments conducted at Tulane University/Charity Hospital since 1944. Requested copies include all documents funded or sponsored by Health and Human Services, Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Management and Budget, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and its predecessor agencies. We also request copies of War Department Contracts #W-49-007-MD182, #W-49-007-MD389, and the Department of the Army Contracts #DA-49-007-MD182 and Public Health Insurance Grant No. H-143 and grants from Mrs. E. J. Claire Fund for Research in Heart Disease, which have been identified as being in your possession. We are particularly interested in government sponsored human experiments conducted at Charity Hospital by The Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services and the National Institute of Health also need copies of documents related to these experiments. However, to minimize reproduction requirements for your institution, we will provide these organizations with copies of any relative documents that you send. Due to Congressional Hearings in early July on this subject, we request an expeditious reply. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact: DoD Radiation Experiments Command Center POC: Colonel Claud Bailey, Jr., USA Thank you for your continued cooperation in this matter.