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Letter from J.E. Moore, M.D., to Dr. A. N. Richards, October 6, 1942

     l have recently received a letter of enquiry from Dr. Charles M. 
Carpenter of the University of Rochester School of Medicine who 
believes that be may be able to work out a human experiment on the 
chemical prophylaxis of gonorrhea.  He has asked me to supply him 
with a statement that in my opinion such human experimentation is 
desirable.  I have in turn replied enquiring from him as to whether 
he wishes a statement from me on an entirely personal basis or in one 
of my official capacities -- as Chairman from me on an entirely 
personal basis or in one of my official capacities -- as Chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Venereal Diseases, National research Council, or 
as Special Consultant, U.S. Public Health Service.  In either of the 
latter cases I have pointed out to Dr. Carpenter that I could not 
make such a statement without the approval of higher authority.

     May I ask you to supply me with the attitude of the Committee on 
Medical Research toward human experimentation in general, and toward 
the particular problem of human experiment in the chemical 
prophylaxis of gonorrhea.





Reply of A. M. Richards, Chairman, to Dr. J. E. Moore October 9, 1942
     
     In your letter of October 6th you ask that I advice you of the 
attitude or the Committee on Medical Research toward human 
experimentation in general, and toward the particular problem of 
human experiment on the chemical prophylaxis of gonorrhea.

     The Committee on Medical Research will hold its next meeting on 
October 29th. I shall present your question to them at that time.  
In the meantime I have confidence that the Committee will support me 
in the statement that human experimentation is not only desirable, 
but necessary in the study of many of the problems of war medicine 
which confront us.  When any risks are involved, volunteers only 
should be utilized as subjects, and these only after the risks have 
been fully explained and after signed statements have been obtained 
which shall prove that the volunteer offered his services with full 
knowledge and that claims for damages will be waived.

     In answer to the second part of your question which concerns 
this specific case, the Committee on Medical Research must rely on 
the judgment of the Responsible Investigator, supplemented by the 
judgment of the committee in whose field the investigation is 
proceeding.

                REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
      

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(Revision of Dr. Richards letter of October 9, 1942)

Reply of A. N. Richards, Chairman, To Dr. J. E. Moore 
October 31, 1942

     In your letter to me of October 6 you raised the question 
of the attitude of the Committee on Medical Research toward human 
experimentation in general and toward the particular problem of 
human experiment in the chemical prophylaxis of gonorrhea. I gave 
you a tentative reply under date of October 9 and brought the 
matter before the CMR at its meeting on October 29.

     The statement in the second paragraph of my letter of the ninth 
referring to the general attitude was upheld.

     "Human experimentation is not only desirable, but necessary in 
     the study of many of the problems of war medicine which confronts 
     us.  When any risks are involved, volunteers only should be 
     utilized as subjects, and these only after the risks have been 
     fully explained and after signed statements have been obtained 
     which shall prove that the volunteer offered his services with 
     full knowledge and that claims for damage will be waived.  An 
     accurate record should be kept of the terms in which the risks
     involved were described."

     I was instructed to recall the third paragraph of that letter 
and to offer in its place something to the following effect:

     Whenever human experiments are planned as part of work called 
     for in an OSRD contract recommended by OMR, the Committee on 
     Medical Research should know in detail what they are.  Further, 
     it must be understood that legal responsibility for possible 
     damages rests with the individual in charge of the experiments 
     and the Institution for which he is agent.  Arrangements can be
     made whereby both he and the Institution can be protected by
     insurance.

     Hoping that the above statements provide adequate answer to your 
questions,


I am


Reply of J. E. Moore, M. D., to Dr. A. N. Richards November 2, 1942


     Thank you for your letter of October 31 outlining  the attitude 
of the Committee on Medical Research toward human experimentation.  I 
have forwarded a copy of your letter to Doctors C. M. Carpenter of 
Rochester, New York, and to Alfred Cohn of New York City, both are 
interested in the possibility of human experimentation in gonorrhea, 
though neither have as yet an OSRD contract for
this purpose.