Archive description
Prisoner experiments - a memorandum from phil garon, office of public affairs to dr. J. Liverman, aes - gtn. The principal investigator dr. C. Alvin paulsen, in the washington state testicular irradiation experiments, is quoted in a seattle newspaper story as saying that 8 of the 60 irradiated prisoners in washington declined and did not receive a vasectomy. In another related matter: mavis rowley, dr. Heller's assistant in the oregon experiments said that an attorney for the prisoners in oregon asked her (mavis rowley) for information on serving legal papers on dr. Heller. Legal action has apparently now been initiated.
Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 1
ENERGY RESEARCH AND OMELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION RE: PRISONER EXPERlMENTS IN WASHINGTON STATE Dr. C. A l v i n Paulsen, the principal investigator in the Washingkon State testicular irradiation experiments, i s quoted in a'geattle newspaper story today as saying that S of the 64 irradiated prisoners in Washington declined and did not receive a vasectomy. Although I have not been able to contact Paulsen t o confirm this, s t a f f re-checked the files and told me that Paulsen's statement is accurate. we previously told the news media that a prisoners involved, in both Oregon and Washington, were given vasectomies -- which, until today, w e believed to be the truth. Unfortunately, this new information about the Washington experiment raises a controversial side - issue: t h e possibility of genetic mutations in any offspring who rniQht have been conceived. We are formulating a response to potenkial questions on this which may a r i s e , and wanted to alert you, in case you are asked about it. On another related matter: Mavis Rowley, Dr. Heller'8 assistant i n the Qregon experiments, an attorney for one of the prisoners in Oregon asked her for information on serving legal papers an Heller (who w a s medically Incapacitated by a stroke in 1972). Thus, legal action has apparently now been initiated. told me koday that Office of Public Affairs