Analysis of MKULTRA, 1977 Joint Hearing (Part 2)

by Dr. Jeffrey Russell, PhD

[Senator Kennedy’s opening statement—paraphrased and reduced by author]

In 1975 we heard chilling testimony about human experimentation activities of the CIA. It was revealed that
over 30 universities and institutions were involved in extensive testing and experimentation including covert
drug tests on unwitting citizens at all social levels including all races. Several tests involved the
administration of LSD to unwitting subjects in social situations.
We know that at least one death resulted from these activities. The CIA itself admitted these tests made
little sense. The tests were unscientific and could not be monitored or followed up on. In a number of
cases, the subject became ill for hours or even days following the tests. Other experiments were equally
offensive. Heroin addicts were enticed into being subjects with a reward of more heroin. The most
disturbing fact of all was that the extent of the experimentation was unknown.
We were told that the records of all these activities were destroyed in January 1973 at the direction of
Richard Helms, then Director of the CIA. In spite of persistent inquiries by both the Health and Intelligence
Committees, no further information was forthcoming. Not one person involved in the program at the CIA
was willing to talk about it. [Note: compare to current Intelligence Committee petitioning the FBI for
information]
Then one individual, through a FOIA request, spurred the Agency into finding additional records on the
subject. The documents were found in March and not reported to Congress until July. They reveal a far
more extensive series of experiments than previously reported. There was a total of 86 different
universities and institutions involved, revealing new instances of unethical behavior.
The intelligence community, which requires a shroud of secrecy in order to operate, has a very sacred trust
from the American people. This program pursued by the CIA violated that trust. It was violated again the
day in 1973 when all of the records were destroyed.
These are issues that happened in the 1950s and 1960s, but they are front page news today as details
keep filtering out concerning the abuses. The CIA drugged American citizens without their knowledge or
consent. It used university facilities and personnel without their knowledge. It funded leading researchers,
often without their knowledge. These individuals and institutions have a right to know who they are and
how and when they were used. As of today, the Agency refuses to declassify that information.
This hearing and previous records underscore the need for Congress to expand its jurisdiction over all
biomedical research in order to protect the rights of American citizens.
[end of Senator Kennedy’s opening remarks]