more detailed description of the the research andtheresults. It is apparent that Hamilton
was covering up his later human subject experiments with plutonium. He and Dr. Stone
were considering and already planning future tracer experiments with humans. There is a
bibliography of reports written by members of project 48-A-1, as well as a list of students
who worked on the project. (copied andfiled in the Hamilton folder)
Pro:
and Budget Estimate for 1948-49/Health and Biology Project/NDP 48C
by Robert S. Stone, M.D. in Charge. There is a concise history of the project, which
originally involved observing changes in blood counts of patients exposed to whole body
X-rays; the history includes dates the researchers started using radioactive materials such
as radiophosphorus. There is a list of reports which were submitted anda list of general
conclusions.
The Activities of the Division of Medical Physics on Atomic Energy Supported
Work Through February 1948; includes an outline and further description of the major
fields of research endeavours. One ofthe fields was the biological effects of irradiation,
done jointly with the Health Physics Division.
Proposal for continuation of studies on the distribution of gases, water and
electrolytes in the human body, by Nello Pace, Project Supervisor. Studies were
conducted on humansand included the use of radioisotopes, both by injection or by
inhalation, in normal andill subjects. The radioisotopes included sulfur,tritium,
phosphorus, sodium, and calcium. Tissues studied included the heart, liver, lung, thigh
muscle, and ankle bone. A list of participants includesPace, San Souci, Lawrence, Jones,
Siri, and others. It is possible, but I could be wrong,that the normal subjects used for this
were the prisoners stated above. The project was originally called "carbon monoxide
physiology”.
Projects (under way in the Donner Lab). A list of 12 projects is followed by a
description of each with goals and results where applicable. They include the following
studies involving human subjects: studies with carbon 14 labeled stilbamidine, liver flow
in leukemia, iron metabolism in hyperplastic and aplastic conditions of the bone marrow,
blood volume measurements in leukemia, polycythemia, and cancer, carbon 14 labeled
glycine studies and the life of the red cell in normal and neoplastic animals and patients,
and others.
In addition to these records, there were others of a more general nature which seemed
relevant. For example, there is correspondence pertaining to policy on human subjects,
including copies of release forms used by the Donner Metabolic Unit. Lawrence was also
working to establish a petty cash fund for studies on selected humans (1952-3), so that he
could undertake blood studies without constantly seeking reimbursement. I also found
correspondence from the AEC in which requests for uses of materials, including
radioactive isotopes, were approved for use in human subjects; or correspondence in
which requests were approved as long as no humans were used (someof these are
addressed to Hamilton).
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Archives and Records Office
Human Radiation Experiments Search and Retrieval Project
Anna Berge Research Notes
Electronic DocumentTitle: DC Files
April 4, 1994
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