Study: The Effects of Weaponized Radiation – Health Effects of Radioactive Materials (1945-1970)
MILITARISM, 8 Oct 2012
Lisa MartinoTaylor, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia - TRANSCEND Media Service
The Manhattan-Rochester Coalition, research on the health effects of radioactive materials, and tests on vulnerable populations without consent in St. Louis, 1945—1970.
Abstract:
This piece analyzes a covert Manhattan Project spin-off organization referred to here as the Manhattan-Rochester Coalition, and an obscure aerosol study in St. Louis, Missouri, conducted under contract by the U.S. military from 1953–1954, and 1963–1965. The military-sponsored studies targeted a segregated, high-density urban area, where low-income persons of color predominantly resided. Examination of the Manhattan-Rochester Coalition and the St. Louis aerosol studies, reveal their connections to each other, and to a much larger military project that secretly tested humans, both alive and deceased, in an effort to understand the effects of weaponized radiation. Through this case study, the author explores how a large number of participants inside an organization will willingly participate in organizational acts that are harmful to others, and how large numbers of outsiders, who may or may not be victims of organizational activities, are unable to determine illegal or harmful activity by an organization. The author explains how ethical and observational lapses are engineered by the organization through several specific mechanisms, in an effort to disable critical analysis, and prevent both internal and external dissent of harmful organizational actions. Through studying the process of complex organizational deviance, we can develop public policies that protect the public’s right to know, and construct checks and methods to minimize the chance of covert projects that are contrary to societal norms.
PLEASE ACCESS THE COMPLETE DISSERTATION: gradworks.umi.com
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Today, the research such as that the above article mentions may cause serious human rights problems that even the military can hardly ignore. But, from 1945 – the 1960s, human rights issues relating to the development of nuclear weapons were very much ignored.
After WWII, some US military teams conducted the similar investigation on the health effects of radioactivity in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many citizens of both cities were invited to the “medical examinations”, conducted by the US teams. But nothing about the result of the medial examinations was informed to those citizens. It was the top military secret.
Dr. Lisa Martino Taylor’s PhD dissertation, submitted in December 2011, discusses the ethical issues relating to medical researches on the health effect of radioactive materials. Dr. Taylor’s effort in preparing the dissertation should be appreciated. This type of academic investigation, however, should have done much before.
As to ethical issues on medical research, it should never be forgotten that the Japanese military medical unit 731, during WWII/Pacific War, conducted inhumane medical examinations that could constitute the crime against humanity. Visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731 and http://www.toddlertime.com/bobbystringer/unit-731.htm In addition, if you visit Youtube, you can see some documentary films on the medical experiences, conducted by the 731 medical unit. But, mind you, no simple-minded blaming game produces any positive effect. What we, those who live in this contemporary age, need is lessons learned from history, because we must not allow the similar incident to occur again and we pray that our succeeding generations will live in peace and love and compassion, based on dignity and mutual respect.
Thank you, Antonio, editor of the TMS, for posting the very important research abstract on this TMS website.