The Human Radiation Experiments

by Final Report of the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments

This book describes in fascinating detail the variety of experiments sponsored by the U.S. government in which human subjects were exposed to radiation, often without their knowledge or consent. Based on a review of hundreds of thousands of heretofore unavailable or classified documents, this Report tells a gripping story of the intricate relationship between science and the state.
Under the thick veil of government secrecy, researchers conducted experiments that ranged from the mundane to such egregious violations as administering radioactive tracers to mentally retarded teenagers, injecting plutonium into hospital patients, and intentionally releasing radiation into the environment. This volume concludes with a discussion of the Committee's key findings and guidelines for changes in institutional review boards, ethics rules and policies, and balancing national security interests with individual rights. Ethicists, public health professionals and those interested in the history of medicine and Cold War history will be intrigued by the findings of this landmark report.

656 pages, Hardcover

First published June 6, 1996

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was longwinded and boring. There were interesting parts, I enjoyed reading about the types of experiments performed. I had to read this for continuing education credits, I would not have read this book on my own.