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Background Information on Plutonium Injections Into tlunans Office of Energy Ke search, 6R-1 ,:' The attached Fact Sheet on the injection of 18 patients with plutonium initiated under the Manhattan Project was prepared by the Atomic Energy Con u is sion in 1974. In1974,the AEC ' s Inspector General (IG) conducted an investigation to deter cline whether or not the patients had been told the nature of the injections and had given their permission. The I G ' s report on this investigation was issued August 17,1974, and is classified " Official The IG's report found that a patient injected in 1347 had been in fon ned and had signed a consent agreement i n the presence of two doctors.Another patient definitely vas not informed but the records on the other16 patients are unclear. As a result of the 1974 investigation,the doctors of the four patients alive at that time were contacted and asked to tell the patients of the nature of the injections. One was not told because her doctor felt the knowledge would be detrimental to her health. She has since died. The other three patients,all of whom were alive as of Vebruary 1976, were Since1974,scientific papers have been presented by Drs. Patricia Durbin (LBML) and Robert Rowland (ANL), on the findings of follow - up studies they have conducted . In February1976,in response to public interest and an inquiry from the Washington Post, EIWA issued a press release containing : background information ; the Fact Sheet ; and as u mary report of the investigation. Interest declined rapidly after the release and w e are unaware of any subsequent interest in the matter until recently. We understand that recently a reporter for an Oakland, California paper interviewed both Dr s.Patricia Durbin and John Gofman on this subject and subsequently,at the suggestion of Dr.Durbin,talked with lJr. Sidney Harks (PXL). Ur. Marks, in this conversation,corrected the impression given the reporter by Dr. Durbin that he had led the1974 investigation ; gave her the telephone number and name of DOE'S inspector General,and suggested she call Ils. Gail Bradshaw i n DOE'S public
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ih. Era ds nm Lias rrot yet been contacted by the reporter but has informed the IC's office and the Press Secretary of tile reporter's interest in this NBarr :a "ie issue o f informed consent,ii raised, rii.13. be difficult to deal vith i n rhe light of present Wt: and Pe der al policies and procedures reg nr Jing hunan subjects. These are vastly norc codified Rn tie q licit than any guidance avail ob lc at the ti.% the injections were given, ancl the procedures 6/30 3 by CQE and other Federal organizations. Act i ng lli re ctor i-lunan Xcal t h and Asseswent s Qfficc: of iie:d.t:h and Xn vi r or imi icd Research, Office of mcrgy &search