LETTER TO JOSEPH A. CALIFANO FROM STANSFIELD TURNER RE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS DRUGS ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00295536
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 23, 2025
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2000
• Publication Date: January 19, 1979

,
Ctrl .A.1.;cncy .
wrhetrz,. 0 c 20505
(-1') amismario f1/4:42�1 to f3 ent-t- To 4111111111111011111111111
The Honorable Joseph A. Califano
The Secretary of Health, Education and Warfare
. Washington, D.C. 20201
Dear Joe:
Last year the Senate conducted extensive hearings to learn about
the historical interest of CIA in research to determine the effects of
various drugs on human behavior. After those hearings concluded, the
Agency wrote to the institutions where the research was conducted to
notify them that CIA had provided funds to support their work. Since
that time we have come to realize that there may be a responsibility on
the part of the Government for the well being of individuals who may
have been harmed by an action of the Government. If drugs or other sub-
stances were administered to individuals without their knowledge or in-
formed consent as a part of research conducted under the direction and
control of CIA, and if those individuals might still be suffering harm-
ful aftereffects, it is felt that the Agency should seek them out and
notify them.
At the outset of this very difficult task, it is of critical impor-
tance that we determine whether substances known to have been administered
had a potential for causing harmful aftereffects. The knowledge and ex-
pertise in your Department would be invaluable to us in making authori-
tative evaluations.
If we find that harmful substances might have been administered,
we would like also to have the benefit of your guidance in applying
any rules or standards that may exist to govern notification of subjects
possibly harmed by Government actions. It may be that your Department
has working relationships with some of the institutions that could be
helpful if it becomes necessary to solicit their cooperation. There also
is a very real possibility that records may exist in your Department that
could shed additional light an some of the research projects.
�
If you feel that your Department might be in a position to lend us
some assistance, I would like to request that you designate a member of
your staff with whom we might consult.
Any assistance you feel you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Yours,
-
Izi Star.F..:'-iair11,.....-
STANSFIELD TURNER
.approved for Itorlease.
Oats