ATTACHMENT H Committee on Medical Sciences memorandum to Research and Development Board, November 12, 1952 12 November 1952 DOD-062194-A-22 MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE CHAIRMAN, RDB (DR. FLOYD L. MILLER) SUBJECT: Human Experimentation 1. At its seventeenth meeting 30-31 October, the Committee on Medical Sciences briefly discussed the problem of human experimentation. The committee agreed that before it could issue or endorse any policy statement on this subject, it would want to have the matter studied by a special ad hoc working group which would report to the committee. The committee is cognizant of the fact that human experimentation has been carried on for many years by capable investigators. To issue a policy statement on human experimentation at this time would probably do the cause more harm than good; for such a statement would have to be "watered-down" to suit the capabilities of the average investigator. Thus, it would be restrictive to the exceptional research worker. 2. Human experimentation within the field of medical sciences has, in years past, and is at present governed by an unwritten code of ethics. This code of ethics which is administered informally by fellow workers in the field is considered to be satisfactory. 3. To commit to writing a policy on human experimentation would focus unnecessary attention on the legal aspects of the subject. The legal aspects have in months past, and are currently receiving intensive study by the United States Public Health Service, which will shortly open a new Clinical Center devoted to human experimentation. One of the main issues involved in the discussion of the legal aspects is whether the human volunteer is truly a volunteer, or whether he is motivated to "volunteer" by the perquisites that he assumes, rightly or wrongly, will accrue to him as a result of volunteering. F. LLOYD MUSSELLS, M.D. Executive Director Committee on Medical Sciences