DOE Facts: Radiation Experiments Update

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RADIATION EXPERIMENTS UPDATE Our review of open scientific literature has revealed hundreds of studies involving radioisotopes and human subjects from the 1940's to the present. The vast majority of these studies took place at universities and hospitals. Our information collection efforts to this point have identified a number of experiments not previously listed in the November 1986 Congressional Report, "American Nuclear Guinea Pigs: Three Decades of Radiation Experiments on U.S. Citizens." These experiments are summarized in an attachment to this fact sheet. The/Department of Energy has not fully analyzed the listed experiments, although we have provided all known documentation to *the President's Advisory Committee. It is important to note that this list represents only a small fraction of the total number of b*experiments that were conducted. The list is a working document, and we anticipate adding both more experiments and more details about individual experiments as our work continues. We have reviewed various published sources to identify individual experiments. These sources.include: - Isotopes: An Eiaht Year Summary, 1946-1953. - Nuclear Science Abstracts, 1948-1976. - Semiannual and Annual Reports of the U.S. Atomic Enerqv U.S. Department of Energy Public Affairs Office Contact: Mary Ann Freeman

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0 We have reviewed records in DOE and contractor facilities, 4 federal records centers, in the permanent ,holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration, and in the We have reviewed each of the 11,000 documents recently placed in the Coordination and Information Center. a Our literature review has indicated that there were hundreds of studies at universities and hospitals dating from the 1940's that involve radioisotopes and human subjects. 0 While DOE did not formally conduct these sorts of experiments, the agency and it predecessors did sup$ly radioisotopes and, in some cases, funds f o r inuividual 0 For those experiments that took place under direct agency supervision, such as the plutonium injections, we are in a clear position to locate and retrieve specific data. human radiation experiments, although it appears that some experimentation extends beyond our area of authority. a+ 0 We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of all 0 Evaluation of human radiation experiments will be enhanced with detailed knowledge of the circumstances of individual tests and studies. 0 Historians and other researchers will have access to the scientific, operational and policy data relating to specific experiments conducted by the government and by none Facts relating to specific experiments as well a s the institutional context in which they occurred will be made available to the public (personal privacy information will WHO ARE THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS?: 0 The Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments. This work will provide the Committee with information they need to carry out their mandate from the President.

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8 Subjects of Human Radiation Experimentation and their families. Institutional mapping will provide critical facts about the experiments and why they took place. e Government Officials. This effort will aid determinations about whether human radiation experimentation was conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines. e Historians and Other Retiearchers. This effort will enhance the ability of researchers to analyze scientific, medical, historical, and administrative aspects of human radiation experimentation and related topics.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q. What is the difference between government-.sponsored experiments and those conducted outside the government? We are still trying to determine the differ&ice. that some of the experiments the MED and AEC conducted were concentrated during and just after World War I1 and were closely connected with development of nuclear weapons and related occupational health issues. The post-war radioisotope studies focused more on general health research, which allowed non-government institutions (although funded by the government) to become involved. The ethical and scientific standards of all categories of experiments do, however, need to be evaluated. Q. What was the total number of experiments that were A. We do not have a precise count. Our review of records and published sources indicates that there were hundreds, if not thousands, of radioisotope studies .conducted over the past 5 0 years. We need to continue working with independent bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments to categorize and evaluate the universe of