Human Radiation Research-Action Memorandum from Colonel G. J. Merritt Dated 2 March 1994 (Clarification of Funding Sources from MD Anderson and Other Human Radiation Experiments)

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BPOOKE: AIR FORCE BASE. TEXAS MEMORANDUM f:OR THE RECORD TO AUAOE (Major S.Mitchell;~ 7 MAR 1994 FROM: AUOERT (c/o AUOEVP) SUBJECT: Human Radiation Research-Action Memoraqdum from Col G. J. Merritt dated 2 Pickering on 5 March 1994 to clarify as many points as pos,sible. Regarding the queries in the Action Memorandum mentioned above, I telephoned Col J. E. 2. In paragraph 1 of his memorandum, Col hnerritt requested documentation to support the statement that the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was the lead agent in the whole-body radiation study co-sponsored by the USAF at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. Col Pickering told me that in those da)is (up to the early 7360's) there was a "merger of funds" between the AEC and the Department of Defense and the o f k e was called the Division of Military Applications; a subdivision of that Division on Weapons helped to fund weapons testing. In addition, the Civil Effects Test Group of the AEC (now FEMA) also merged resources with the USAF. The objectives of much research supported by these combined resources had to do not onkj with the effects of nuclear weapons but also (probably) with possible adverse eyfects on crew members of coordinated some of these efforts amoqg AEC labs, including Oak Ridge and Los Alamos, and the USAF. The majority of research prajects dealt with animals, not hurnans. As far as the USAF relationship with MD Anderson is concerned, I believe the USAF suppcrted at least one yomg resident physician in radiation therspylradiation oncology near the time the human radiation experiment was performed. As far as any USAF contract(sj with the MO Anderson are concerned, Col Pickering could nc4 recall a specific contract, but we may be to discover a contract number if we go through the reports in the Hangar kine Museum at Brooks AFB. ,4s of now, I have not been able to spare the time to da the search mysetf due to long-term experimentel commitments which are impossible to postpone. 3. In paragraph 3. Col Merritt mentions the c:omment in my 18 Jan 94 memorandum regarding USAF support to the Universities of Chicago and Rochester. Col Pickcring confirmed such support, but stated that experiments supported by the UZ8AFat those universities were NOT on humans; all were on animals. At Rochester, there was no USAF support from ttiu IJSAF at all from the mid1940's to the mid-1960's. At Chicago, the University of Chicago Air Fcrce Laboratory was started in the 1950-1951 time frame, and was headed by Dr I<enneth DuBois with the help of Dr Guyling. That laboratory was primarily a toxicology laboratory before and after LJSAF support existed there. zone) or to me at 210-536-3554 (OSN 240-2554). Any furthe- questions may be addressed to Col Pickering at 503-828-0421 (mountain time Directed Energy Civision Occupational 81 Erivironmental Health Directorate