REPORT: DRUG TESTED WITHOUT DISCLOSURE

BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) - A review of research by the National Institute of
Mental Health in Maryland reported in The Boston Globe says about 100
healthy people across the country were given a powerful hallucinogen
without being told the drug can induce memory loss and is used as a
psychedelic and date-rape drug.

The Globe reports ethicists are questioning the use of ketamine, also known
as ``Special K,'' on humans without full disclosure.

The Globe says the studies using ketamine have involved both mentally ill
and healthy subjects, placing both at potential risk of psychotic episodes.

Ethicists said they are particularly troubled because there is no possible
benefit to healthy people that would offset the risk.

Ketamine, which is primarily used as an animal tranquilizer, has also been
used recently as a date-rape drug and at parties known as ``raves.''

Dr. Trey Sunderland, chairman of NIMH's institutional review board, said
the medicine was given under close scrutiny for a short-term basis.
Sunderland said there is ``no repeat long-term exposure,'' and consequently
ketamine's street use is ``not an issue in these studies'' and was not
brought up with subjects.