Pubdate: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 Source: Ecologist, The (U.K.) Copyright: 2001, The Ecologist Contact: http://www.theecologist.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/998 Page: 57 Author: Eduardo Goncalves Note: Eduardo Goncalves is a Portuguese investigative journalist. INCURABLY ADDICTED TO RESEARCH Eduardo Goncalves Reveals The Horrors Of The Worryingly Recent Past When stories such as last month's revelations (about US experiments on mentally ill patients in Bristol) come to light, the authorities often claim that such barbaric excesses only occurred at the height of the Cold War. An investigation set up by former US President Bill Clinton reinforces this idea. It was allowed only to look at experiments up to 1974, when supposedly more effective safeguards were introduced to protect US human guinea pigs! Even so, its final report noted that many experiments continue today, including classified trials where consent is not necessarily required... This month, we travel to a former army camp in New York State. Situated in 5,300 acres of New England, the site is home to a huge laboratory that quietly conducts nuclear research for the government. The Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) continues to experiment on human guinea pigs, and one of its current programmes surely goes beyond the definition of 'bizarre'. As part of a multi-million dollar 'research trial', scientists here have been injecting people with radioactive cocaine - and then doing tests on their brains. The subjects are recruited through classified advertisements in the Village Voice newspaper, and include drug addicts, alcoholics, and people with a range of mental illnesses, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. At least 100 human guinea pigs have so far take part. Schizophrenics have been linked up to a drip containing the drug, which is mixed with a radioactive compound. The scientists have won government approval to administer nuclear chemicals on men as old as 95. In some cases, people are given the narcotic mixture to snort or smoke. The scientist in charge told me she did not think the experiments were 'particularly' dangerous - although the official approval documents note that a 'potential side effect' of the trial is 'the induction of cancer'. She conceded that two ER-style paramedics were permanently on hand, because of the constant risk of seizures. She also claimed the experiments were simply aimed at a better understanding of addictive behaviour. But why then are records of the experiment's effects kept under lock and key? As official documents confirm: 'All records are confidential and may not be disclosed'.' Inside reports reveal the nervousness of those involved, even before the experiments began. In 1988, they say, came the 'suggestion that the Medical Department become involved in a pilot study with the BNL Chemistry Department on the effects of cocaine use on the brain. This is a very sensitive topic...'.' No kidding. Just where did this 'suggestion' come from? 'BNL is not the motivating force on this research', says the report. So who is? 'The majority of the projects are funded by Department of Environment with additional funding obtained from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and from drug companies.' Why so? Apparently, the latter were 'interested in determining receptor occupancy of novel CNS drugs'.' And what of the subjects? The scientists at BNL complained of 'a patient population that is different because of poly-drug abuse, multiple psychiatric diagnosis, and lack of reliability and commitment to the study'(!). The answer? 'There is a continuing need to improve by increasing the number of subjects ...... Dr Joanna Fowler, who has led the programme, was rewarded in 1998 for her efforts in 'devising innovative ways to attach radioactive isotopes to molecules for research in biology and medicine", although there was little publicity for the prize. However, you can read about some of her team's exciting exploits in scientific journals. The illuminating accounts on offer include 'Mapping cocaine binding in human and baboon brain in vivo", and 'Distribution of 11 C-cocaine in human heart, lungs, liver and adrenals'.7 Their conclusion? Cocaine can be addictive... References 1 DOE Human Subjects Research Database, 1998 2 AUI Board, 21 April, 1988, HREX doc 718251, p12 3 The Cyclotron-PET Center for Radiotracer Research and Medical Applications, H REX document, 718337, p2 4 Brookhaven Visiting Committee, 10- 12 May, 1993, HREX doc. 718313, pp 16-17 5 US Department of Energy Statement, 'E.O.Lawrence awards hail advances in science', FDCH Federal Department Agency Documents, 27 October, 1998 6 Synapse 1989, 4, 371-377 7 J Nucl Med 1992, 33: 521-525 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom