STATEMENT ON MKULTRA

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
December 21, 2016
Document Release Date: 
November 24, 2008
Sequence Number: 
39
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
March 1, 1984
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4.pdf199.02 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 TRANSMITTAL SLIP I DAbEMarch 1984 TO: ::::*I /EO RQOM N . REMARKS: Executive Registry 84 - ISM FYI: Since DDCI expressed interest in M.KULTRA statement several months ago, here is copy of revised statement approved by DDO, DDS&T, OTS-and OGC. Dale FROM: ROOM NO. BUILDING 7 B 03 Headquarters 1FAE x'241 REPLACES FORM 36-8 WNICN MAY BE USED. H+T- a-L) y-7Y STAT STAT STAT Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 1 March 1984 STATEMENT ON MKULTRA Because of events in the 1.940's and early 1950's, including operational reports and Soviet show trials involving Cardinal Mindzenty and others, the Soviet Union was believed to have developed the capability to affect human behavior through the use of drugs. To obtain information on the use of chemical and biological substances and methods to counter the use of behavior influencing drugs, the Agency conducted an "umbrella project" under which various subprojects were funded. This umbrella project, which was called MKULTRA, continued from 1953 through 1964. Much of the research, only a portion of which involved LSD, was conducted at well-known institutions under the control and direction of researchers at, and-in conformance to the standards of, those institutions. The research and its results were generally unclassified and published in the normal manner by those researchers. In only three instances was research performed in a manner which would raise questions regarding its ethical/moral propriety. The questionable subprojects involved the use of individuals who were not aware that they were the subjects of a research program or that they were being given a drug. This unwitting testing is believed to have taken place in social situations among friends and acquaintances of the researcher. In 1963, after questions were raised within the Agency by the Inspector General about the propriety of these subprojects, they were discontinued. Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 Between 1963 and 1967 some testing of drugs continued, but only on voluntary subjects. In 1967 all projects involving behavior influencing drugs were terminated. Safeguards were subsequently promulgated through Presidential Executive Orders which have been strictly followed. The current Presidential Executive Order, E.O. 12333, provides guidelines for the effective conduct of U.S. intelligence activities and the protection of constitutional rights. It requires that research which might be conducted involving humans be subject to Health, Education and Welfare promulgated guidelines, and that the subjects' informed consent be documented in accordance with those guidelines. Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Public Affairs Office 15 SEP 1983 NOTE TO: Executive Director DDA DDI DDO DDS&T SUBJECT: Guidance on MKULTRA The attached is self-explanatory. ueorgeIV. Lauder cc: DDCI PAO/GVL/scn/l4 Sep 83/x7676 Distribution: 5 - addressees 1 - DDCI 1 - ER 83-4478 - subj. (KJH) 1 - GVL chrono. STAT REG Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 ;"?` Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 12 September 1983 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Public Affairs FROM: Executive Assistant to the DDCI George, John was very pleased with the attached and believes it is right on the mark. He would like you to distribute it to the Deputy Directors, Executive Director, etc., and advise them that all Agency employees on the speaking circuit should draw from this text when responding to queries on MKULTRA. I would assume that you would also provide it to any Agency employees coming to you for guidance before going out on the speaking circuit. Attachment DISTRIBUTION Orig w/Atch - Addressee 2 - O/DDCI 1 - ER File Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 STATEMENT ON MKULTRA Because of reports that the Soviet Union may have developed the capability to affect human behavior through the use of drugs, the Agency initiated a program of research in this area called MKULTRA"which continued from 1953 to 1964. Much of this research, which principally involved,the use-of LSD, was conducted at well-known institutions under the control and direction of researchers at, and to the standards of, those institutions. The research and its results were generally unclassified and published in the-normal manner by such - institutions. Other MKULTRA research was performed in a questionable manner: research and tests were conducted on individuals who were not witting that they were the subjects of a research program and that they were being given a drug. This unwitting testing generally took place in social situations among friends and acquaintances of the researcher. When questions were raised within the Agency about this prograT,,it was discontinued and its nature and termination were reported to our then Congressional overseers. Public attention was later drawn to the program in the 1975 Rockefeller Commission Report and in the Church Committee hearings in"1.977. Safeguards were subsequently promulgated through Presidential Executive Orders and are strictly adhered to. The current Presidential Executive Order, 12333, provides guidelines for the effective conduct of U.S. intelligence activities and the protection of constitutional rights. It requires that research Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4 which might be conducted involving humans be subject to Health, Education and Welfare promulgated guidelines and that the subjects' informed consent be documented in accordance with those guidelines. A "Y 2 Approved For Release 2008/11/24: CIA-RDP86M00886R000800010039-4