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

           xx DRAFT x  FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY  xxx

MEMORANDUM

TO:       Members of the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation 
	  Experiments

FROM:     Advisory Committee Staff

DATE:     June 9, 1995

RE:       Documentary Update: 1966 Proposed Plutonium and 
	  Prometheum Experiments



     Documents recently retrieved by Committee staff describe a 1966 
program for human experimentation with plutonium and prometheum at the 
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Hanford site.  With the assistance of 
the Department of Energy (DOE), we are seeking further information on 
the extent to which the experiments went ahead as proposed.

     Attachment 1, a March 11, 1966 letter from the Hanford 
Occupational Health Foundation (an AEC contractor) to the AEC's 
Richland Operations Office describes a proposal by Battelle Northwest 
(another AEC contractor) regarding:

          . . . use of paid volunteers, and possible employees, who 
          will receive controlled doses of Pm144 and Pu 237.  
          Estimated doses will be in the range of 0.1 to 0.15 
          roentgens.

     The Hanford Occupational Foundation wished to participate because 
the data could be used in "treatment of radiation and contamination 
victims as well basic research." The Foundation was writing to the AEC 
for information on the legal implications of participation.

     Attachment 2, a March 29, 1966 memorandum, appears to be a legal 
memorandum from the Chief Counsel of the AEC's Richland Operations 
Office, which states the terms on which the experiments can proceed.

     Attachment 3, a March 31, 1966 memorandum from the Assistant 
Manager for Administration of the Richland Office to the Director the 
Division of Biology and Medicine (DBM), requests DBM's guidance on the 
proposed research.

     Attachment 4, a May 13, 1966 memorandum from the AEC Associate 
General Counsel to the Director of the DBM provides the terms for 
written consent.