DISCLAIMER

The following is a staff memorandum or other working document 
prepared for the members of the Advisory Committee on Human
Radiation Experiments.  It should not be construed as representing
the final conclusions of fact or interpretation of the issues. 
All staff memoranda are subject to revision based on further 
information and analysis.  For conclusions and recommendations of
the Advisory Committee, readers are advised to consult the Final
Report to be published in 1995.


TAB D-3
	   XXX DRAFT X FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY XXX

MEMORANDUM

TO:       Members of the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation 
	  Experiments

FROM:     Advisory Committee Staff

DATE:     May 1, 1995

RE:       Documentary Update Concerning Human Experimentation in 
	  Connection with Bomb Tests



I.   HUMMRO Questionnaire

     In the December Briefing Book, we enclosed a copy of the 
questionnaire provided in 1951 to soldiers who participated in the 
psychological and physiological testing conducted in connection with 
the November atomic bomb test in Nevada.

     Subsequently, we asked the Defense Department to provide comments 
on the questions and answers contained in the questionnaire.

     Attachment 1 is a copy of the original questionnaire; Attachment 
2 is a copy of the DOD's response.

II.  Potential Secret Record Keeping In Anticipation of Liability 
     Claims

     As discussed in earlier briefing books and in the draft chapter 
on experimentation in connection with atomic bomb tests, documents 
show that following the 1946 Crossroads tests the government discussed 
the need to keep secret data in anticipation of potential liability 
claims from veterans, and evidently undertook certain data collection.

     In response to the draft chapter, the VA has noted that a review 
by its Inspector General has concluded that the VA never activated a 
"Confidential Atomic Medicine Division," as stated in a 1952 document 
prepared by VA official Dr. George Lyon.  Attachment 3 is a copy of 
the VA's letter.  As noted in earlier Briefing Book materials, whether 
or not the Division was activated, VA documentation shows that Dr. 
Lyon engaged in secret recordkeeping on behalf of liability claims. 

     The DOD (whose comments on the Draft Chapter did not note any 
question on this issue) has also provided a response regarding the 
nature of the documentation that may have been kept.

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Attachment 4 is a copy of this response.

     Staff will continue to work with the DOD and VA in an effort to 
determine, at this late date, the nature of any secret recordkeeping 
that may have taken place.


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