The Plutonium Files (90 page)

14
“This proposal is a direct”: Charles Edington, “Summary of Review of Research Proposal,” April 14, 1963, HB.

15
“minimize publicity”: “Assistance to Dr. Paulsen—University of Washington Medical School,” July 2, 1963 (PNL 9076).

16
“For these reasons”: NCI, “Clinical Research and the Medical Treatment of Patient-Volunteers,” Dec. 2, 1964, HB, p. 4.

17
“They knew the clock”: Int. Meta Heller, Sept. 30, 1996.

18
injected with carbon-14: PNRF to USAEC, “Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Testicular Function of Man,” Renewal Proposal, February 1964, HB, pp. 6–7.

19
Total of $1.12 million: Phil Garon, “AEC Human Testicular Irradiation Project,” Feb. 23, 1976 (CIC 703558).

20
$5 a month: Paulsen, “The Study of Radiation Effects on the Human Testis,” renewal request, n.d. (circa 1965–1966), UW.

21
“taken advantage of our”: C. T. Gladden to Robert Y. Thornton, “Carl G. Heller, M.D. Medical Research Programs,” Sept. 9, 1963, HB.

22
lived in Heller’s house: Hignite dep., p. 59.

23
“weird medical effects”: Bibeau dep., p. 44.

24
wasn’t “really Catholic”: Ibid., p. 47.

25
“Never married”: “Psychiatric examination,” Nov. 4, 1964, HB.

26
“I feel this man”: “Psychiatric examination,” Sept. 3, 1964, Canyon Easton m.r.

27
“I felt I was”: Int. Canyon Easton, Nov. 28, 1994.

28
“I castrated myself”: Easton, “Testimony before Senate Human Resources Committee,” 1987, HB.

29
“I did castrate”: Easton, letter to author, Dec. 31, 1996.

30
“I mean he felt”: Rowley OH, p. 37.

31
“Most of the times”: Hignite dep., p. 67.

32
“Right in the middle”: Mathena dep., p. 24.

33
“Made me want”: Hetland dep., p. 19.

34
“virtually ‘inexhaustible’ supply”: PNRF to USAEC, “Effects of Ionizing Radiation,” Renewal Proposal, February 1965, HB, p. 10.

35
“grams of flesh”: Jared J. Davis, “Comments on Carl Heller request for additional funds,” Sept. 2, 1964, HB.

36
“They had a homosexual”: Int. Paul “Connie” Tyrrell, November 1994.

37
“It hurt bad”: Hetland dep., p. 30.

38
“They brought a little box”: Ibid., pp. 41–42.

39
“It was no better”: Hetland, Survey response, June 7, 1985, HB.

40
“I spent years”: Boly, “Heller Experiments,” p. 48.

41
“I operated the control”: Hignite dep., pp. 104–105.

42
“So whenever you”: Hetland dep., p. 48.

43
AEC commissioners themselves: AEC Meeting 2348, Oct. 4, 1968 (CIC 107664).

44
conduct a “penetrating”: AEC Headquarters, “Radiation and Human Spermatogenesis, an In-Progress Program Review,” August 26–27, 1965, UW.

45
“perhaps smoking”: Walter S. Snyder to Paul Henshaw, Nov. 26, 1963, HB.

46
small chronic doses: Heller, “Third Yearly Progress Report,” February 1966, HB, pp. 12–13.

47
“It was apparent”: Henshaw to Files, “Visit to the Laboratories of Dr. Carl Heller,” Aug. 20, 1964, HB.

48
“indicated you do have”: Douglas Grahn to Heller, Dec. 23, 1964, HB.

49
“Have you or your panel”: Heller to Grahn, Jan. 4, 1965, HB.

50
Heller attended two meetings: PNRF, “Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Testicular Function of Man,” Third Yearly Progress Report, February 1966, HB, p. 68.

51
“They only cared”: Int. Meta Heller, Nov. 14, 1994.

52
“It would have been good”: Ibid., Nov. 25, 1994.

53
“certain collegiality”: Int. Douglas Grahn, May 1, 1995.

54
“The Atomic Energy Commission”: Paulsen dep., p. 65.

55
“I personally do not see”: H. D. Bruner to Paulsen, June 19, 1962, UW.

56
secured the approval: Paulsen, “Preliminary Research Proposal for the Study of Irradiation Effects on the Human Testis,” April 21, 1963, UW, p. 2.

57
“Now he looks old”: Int. Don Byers, Oct. 26, 1996.

58
“That was rather important”: Int. Rob White, Oct. 10, 1996.

59
prisoners were orally: Paulsen dep., p. 21.

60
studies with mannequins: K. L. Swint to W. E. Wilson, “Fast Neutron Medical Research Facility Dosimetry for 2.5 MeV Neutrons,” April 11, 1967 (PNL-9669), p. 3.

61
“I was told”: Int. Don Byers.

62
“My first impression”: Byers to Nancy Oreskovich, “Radiation Program Recollections,” Nov. 12, 1995.

63
“Our position of furnishing”: C. E. Newton to P. A. Fuqua, “Trip Report—Review of Dr. Paulsen’s Project,” Dec. 18, 1967 (PNL 9316).

64
Radiation Safety Committee: Peter Wootton to Paulsen, “Use of Tritiated Targets for Neutron Production in the Study of Neutron Radiation Effects in Human Testicles,” Oct. 22, 1968, UW.

65
The committee chose: Robert Bruce to Paulsen, April 4, 1969, UW.

66
questioned whether the study: Bruce to Wil B. Nelp, May 20, 1969, UW.

67
Twelve of those men: “Minutes—Research and Clinical Investigations Committee,” Dec. 10, 1969, UW.

68
“I just loved”: Int. Leonard Schroeter, Nov. 26, 1996.

69
“rather disturbing elements”: Holliday to George W. Farwell, “Dr. Alvin Paulsen—Research,” July 25, 1969, HB, p. 4.

70
“I do not think”: Holliday to William Conte, “Dr. Paulsen: X-ray Study, Atomic Energy Commission,” Jan. 29, 1970, HB, p. 2.

71
“The Committee felt”: Research Review Committee to Holliday, “Disposition of Division Review Committee in Regard to Irradiation Project of Dr. C. Alvin Paulsen at the State Penitentiary,” March 13, 1970, HB, p. 2.

72
“Needless to say”: Paulsen OH, p. 60.

73
“Look,” Paulsen remembered: Ibid.

74
“some kind of unauthorized”: Robert Sharpley, “Summary of Review File on the X-Irradiation Studies by Dr. C. Alvin Paulsen at the Washington State Penitentiary,” n.d., HB.

75
“I decided what the hell”: Karen Dorn Steele, “Psychologist Pays Price to Stop Experiments,”
Spokesman-Review,
June 19, 1994, p. A-8.

76
Rowley hoped: Rowley dep., Oct. 10, 1996, p. 136.

77
“He pulled that article”: Rowley and Heller joint dep., p. 55.

78
“I asked if Dr. Paulsen”: Amos Reed, “OSP Radiation Experiment (Heller Project),” 1973, HB, p. 2.

79
tumor found in the testis: Heller to Frank Brooks, Feb. 25, 1971, p. 1.

1
Cows were led: Cong. report,
American Nuclear Guinea Pigs,
pp. 22–23.

2
real and simulated fallout: Ibid., p. 31. 383 radioactive fish: Ibid., p. 35.

3
Fifty-seven workers: Ibid., p. 13.

4
persimmon trees … stand of hardwood: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Annotated Bibliography, DOE Search Records.

5
old experiment was revived: AEC, Office of Investigations, “Report of Investigation” (File No. 44–2–326) Aug. 16, 1974, pp. 7–8.

6
“Like a drunk”: Durbin OH, DOE/OHRE, p. 41.

7
“It was stupid”: Durbin OH, ACHRE, p. 94.

8
“Most of the patients”: LANL,
Radiation Protection,
p. 217.

9
“He is, I believe”: Durbin to James L. Born, Dec. 10, 1971, FOIA, p. 2.

10
study was “messy”: AEC, “Report of Investigation,” p. 8.

11
“introduction of exhumed bodies”: Ibid., p. 9.

12
“We had cadavers”: Rowland OH, p. 23.

13
“very, very intimately involved”: Ibid., p. 22.

14
Chicago scientists wanted: Robert Rowland to Christine Waterhouse, Jan. 4, 1973, FOIA, p. 1.

15
“Please note”: AEC, “Report of Investigation,” p. 19. 388 “That was Jim Liverman”: Rowland OH, p. 53.

16
“leery of getting these people”: Welsome, “Plutonium Experiment,” p. 14.

17
“I was what you’d call”: Ibid., p. 45.

18
“An appropriate approach”: AEC, “Report of Investigation,” pp. 20–21.

19
“I was surprised”: Welsome, “Plutonium Experiment,” p. 36.

20
“We are trying to locate”: Austin Brues to Dr. A. O. Dykes, March 7, 1973, FOIA.

21
“From what we know”: Brues, “Clinical Picture Following Plutonium Administration,” in Nickson, ed.,
Report of Conference on Plutonium,
p. 21.

22
Brues also contributed: Langham et al.,
Distribution and Excretion of Plutonium,
p. 3.

23
Brues told AEC: Sidney Marks, “Interview with Dr. Austin Brues,” April 15, 1974, FOIA, p. 2.

24
“My mother thought”: Welsome, “Plutonium Experiment,” p. 12.

25
“consistent [with] early radium”: I. E. Kirsh, “Radiologist’s Report,” June 13, 1973, Allen m.r.

26
The limo driver: Trip itinerary, Allen family records.

27
“Every time I went”: Welsome, “Plutonium Experiment,” p. 13.

28
“His excretion rate”: Ibid.

29
As with Eda, the plutonium: Ibid., p. 36.

30
John was one of the six: Rowland and Durbin, “Survival, Causes of Death, and Estimated Tissue Doses in a Group of Human Beings Injected with Plutonium,” in Jee, ed.,
Symposium on Health Effects of Plutonium and Radium,
pp. 329–341.

31
John’s endosteal membranes: Ibid., p. 334.

32
pituitary disorders: Int. Ruth Brown, May 7, 1996.

33
“no need to introduce”: Marks, “Summary of interview with Robley Evans and Mary Margaret Shanahan,” April 22, 1974, FOIA.

34
diaphragm, thigh muscle: Joe Farnham, “Pathology Report,” June 1974, Daigneault m.r., p. 2.

35
“The subject’s hair”: Toohey et al., “Concentration of Plutonium in Hair,”
Health Physics,
p. 882.

36
Those elements included: AEC, “Report of Investigation,” p. 16.

37
“The Argonne National Laboratory”: Ibid., p. 15.

38
“It is our opinion”: Ibid., p. 17.

39
“the nature of the studies”: “Briefing on Plutonium Project by Dr. James Liverman on April 29, 1974,” p. 8.

40
“A NAS committee report”: “Meeting at NIH Regarding Patients Injected with Plutonium,” n.d., FOIA, p. 2.

41
“conflict of interest”: AEC, “Report of Investigation,” p. 1.

42
“If Bruner is making”: Handwritten note from unidentified scientist that appears at bottom of memo written by Sidney Marks to James Liverman, March 26, 1994, FOIA.

43
“During interviews”: “Memo to DBER and Division of Inspection from GM,” April 12, 1974, FOIA, p. 2.

44
Stafford Warren was interviewed: Quotes from MP doctors taken from a compilation of rough draft memos written by AEC investigators and obtained by the
Tribune
in its 1992 FOIA request.

45
“certain violations of ethical standards”: James Liverman to John Erle-wine, “Remedial Actions Based Upon a Report of Disclosure to Patients Injected with Plutonium,” n.d., FOIA, p. 1.

46
“General Green was”: Liverman to Files, “Meeting with the Army general counsel and deputy surgeon general with regard to plutonium in people,” April 10, 1974, FOIA.

47
“His response was immediate”: Liverman to Files, “Proposed program regarding persons injected with plutonium 1945–47,” April 9, 1974, FOIA.

48
“Things were done”: Welsome, “Plutonium Experiment,” p. 38.

49
“The telling of the patients”: Ibid., p. 36.

50
“concluded that the mental”: Liverman to Erlewine, “Remedial Actions,” p. 1.

51
“I told him we found”: Brues to Rowland, “Trip Report—Visit to Milford and Italy, Texas,” May 31, 1974, FOIA.

52
“The patient was aware”: AEC, “Report of Investigation,” p. 19.

53
“If all were exhumed”: E. P. Cronkite to Liverman, May 29, 1974, FOIA, p. 2.

54
“As I sifted”: Farnham to CHR-RR, “Disinterment of Mr. [name deleted], June 13, 1975, Hubbard m.r.

55
I said that we”: Andrew Stehney to CHR Records File, “Return of remains of Case No. 40–004,” April 7, 1978, Hubbard m.r.

56
“The skeleton and casket”: J. W. Forkal, “Report of Skeletal Inspection,” May 26, 1978, Sours m.r.

57
“for the purposes”: Stevens m.r.

58
“Those remains”: Welsome, “Plutonium Experiment,” p. 26.

59
“They left here in October”: Ibid., p. 26.

60
“It makes me sick”: Ibid.

61
bad drinking bout: Hospital note, Dec. 7, 1977, Allen m.r.

62
“In the event he”: Brues to David W. Williams, Dec. 12, 1977, Allen m.r.

1
“any part of the field”: Rapoport,
Great American Bomb Machine,
p. 90.

2
Auerbach contacted: John Watson, memo for record, “Washington Post Request for Copy of Contract DASA 01–69-C-0131 University of Cincinnati,” October 6, 1971, ES.

3
“Dr. Saenger suggested”: Ibid.

4
“It was agreed”: Ibid.

5
“approaches what happens”: Stuart Auerbach and Thomas O’Toole, “Pentagon has Contract to Test Radiation Effect on Humans,”
WP,
Oct. 8, 1971, p. 1.

6
“The whole question”: Transcript, “Press Conference Held at Cincinnati General Hospital,” Oct. 11, 1971, ES.

7
Events moved quickly: Cong. hearing,
Experiments Conducted by the University of Cincinnati,
pp. 50–55.

8
“…   would avoid”: Saenger to John A. Northrop, Nov. 26, 1971, ES, p. 1.

9
Saenger sat on four: Cong. hearing,
Experiments Conducted by the University of Cincinnati,
p. 191.