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