D. Biological and Medical Research
Biological and Medical Studies at *0"
1. Tracer studies using technetium,silver, indium,tin, antimony,
samarium,europium, actinium
2. later tracer and autographic studies of gallium, germanium, selenium,
rhodium,palladium, and cadmium
3. Investigate metabolic properties of the eight rare earths
4. deposition of lanthanides and actinides in the skeleton
5. treatment ofpoisoning from plutonium andtrans-plutonium elements
Medical Research at U.C. Hospital
1. Effects of total body X-rays with lab as well as clinical work
2. study ofeffects of radiation originating internally from p32 and 1131
in humans
3. use of animals to check effects seen in humansandto anticipate results
4. study skin reactionto radiation from X-raysof all energies, gamma
rays, beta rays, alpha rays, and neutrons
5. investigations in (4) extended to plants and animals
6. cause and cure ofradiation sickness
Medical Research at Donner Lab and Elsewhere
1, selective tissue irradiation involving radioactive colloids of phosphorus,
yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum,and uranium
2. biological effects of fission
3. biological effects of high energy neutrons
4. use of large animals in long rangestudies of item 3 with particular
interest centered in carcinogenic and longevity studies
folder 19: 30 April, 1947 letter to Stafford Warren from Carroll Wilson, general
manager: (second paragraph) "In any such clinical testing, the Commission continues to
request that the sam procedure be followed which was agreed upon early in March. That
procedure contemplated that it should be susceptible of proof from official records that,
prior to treatment, the individual patient, being in an understanding state of mind, was
clearly informedofthe nature of the treatment andits possible effects, and expressed his
willingness to receivethe treatment. In view of your recommendation, the Commission
does not request that written releases be obtained in such cases, but it does requestthatin
every case at least two doctors should certivy in writing (made part ofan official record)
to the patient's understanding state of mind, to the explanation furnished him, and to his
willingness to accept the treatment.”
Nov. 21, 1947: letter to Hamilton from H.A.Fidler, chief declassification officer, states
that it is touchy to declassify Hamilton's paper on the metabolism of polonium,
plutonium, and radium, because Fidler does not want inferences to the Project to be
known; plutonium technology muststill not be revealed.
Oct. 21, 1949: letter to Charles C. Dunham, MD,Office of Director, Division of Biology
and Medicine, AEC, from Kenneth G. Scott: summary of general plan of investigations
under Project NDF48A1: "Studies upon the usefulness of radio-isotopes to humans with
cancerare being conducted in collaboration with other membersof the Divisions of
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Archives and Records Office
Human Radiation Experiments Search and Retrieval Project
Anna Berge Research Notes
Electronic DocumentTitle: Bancroft/EOL
April 4, 1994
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