Operation Whitecoat

[Amelia]

Ft. Detrick Biological Warfare Program 1950s Maryland US Army

In 1989, Ft Detrick biological diseases experts were called on by the Virginia Department of Health and Hygiene when a commercial laboratory animal holding facility in Reston, Virginia, experienced an outbreak of an Ebola virus in its primate population. The potentially devastating outbreak was quickly handled, preventing what health officials feared could have had a terrible effect on humans. Author Richard Preston chronicled in The Hot Zone the rapid and effective response by Ft. Detrick scientists and soldiers. This in turn sparked at least one major movie (Outbreak), which based its story on the basic scenario of the Ebola outbreak The U.S. Army established its offensive Biological Warfare program at Fort Detrick in 1943. The purpose of the program was twofold: develop defensive mechanisms against biological attack and develop weapons with which the United States could respond in kind if attacked by an enemy who used biological weapons. The offensive Biological Warfare program remained at Fort Detrick until November 1969, when the United States formally renounced the use of lethal biological agents and weapons, and all other methods of biological warfare and discontinued these offensive programs. From 1943 through 1953, biological warfare research on humans was observational in that it was done after occupational exposure incidents or accidents among workers in the biowarfare facilities. These incidents provided the station hospital the unique opportunity to study the onset, clinical course and possible therapeutics for many rare diseases. In the early 1950s, due to a lack of firm data on human vulnerability to biological agents, the Army began to use human subjects in biological warfare research. Project CD-22, the first of the human research projects, involved the study of Q fever in animals and humans in the laboratory and the field. Operation Whitecoat followed this effort. Operation Whitecoat volunteers largely consisted of Seventh-Day Adventist draftees, who were trained as medics but whose religious convictions forbade combat. Approximately 2300 individuals participated in the program. The Army completed about 150 studies during the Operation Whitecoat years. Experimenters exposed volunteers to disease-causing agents such as Q fever and tularemia under strict protocols to study immunity to disease and to conduct drug therapy. Whitecoat volunteers also participated in safety studies of vaccines designed for protection against Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, plague, tularemia, Q fever, yellow fever, chikungunya virus and Rift Valley fever. There were no fatalities or long-term injuries among Whitecoat volunteers. The program ended in 1973 upon termination of the military draft. During Operation Whitecoat several experimental vaccines were developed to protect workers engaged in research at Fort Detrick. Research at Fort Detrick also contributed to the development of equipment and procedures that established the standards for laboratory biosafety. Equipment developed during the program included biological safety cabinets, hot suites with differential air pressure to contain pathogens, and other specially fabricated laboratory equipment. For a concise history of the biological program at Fort Detrick see "Cutting Edge, A history of Fort Detrick Maryland 1943 - 1993" (http://www.detrick.army.mil/cutting_edg­e/index.cfm )by Norman M. Covert, published by the Public Affairs Office Fort Detrick. This clip is from the 1950s episode, the Unseen Weapon, from the The Big Picture documentary television program which ran on the American Broadcasting Company from 1953 to 1959. The program consisted of documentary films produced by the United States Army Signal Corps Army Pictorial Service

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Whitecoat

[Gordon1]

Shame and Abomination.

[teresaq]

on the one hand a most horrible, evil, and cruel thing to do to anyone...

on the other, had those particular sdas practiced faithfully our health message? which could have been a mighty witness for it, in resisting disease...

[Amelia]

Well, I just heard about it. Haven't seen it on the board before and thought others would find it interesting. Sorry it bothered you to read it again. Not all SDAs know everything about our past history.

[Gordon1]

You're quite right to bring this up Amelia. It's recent history and a shameful experiment upon young minds.

Very true - many SDAs know little of our past.

[Gordon1]

I'd like to see the informed consent contract. Who would dare question Uncle Sam?

Another 'strickly voluntary, no coersion' military experiment using toxic agents.

'Twould be a first.

[phkrause]

My brother was part of this, I believe from '72-'74. Not sure why they say the program ended in '73!!! The reason I know this is in the summer of '72 he help me and my wife move out to Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks, CA. While out there he got a call from my Mom saying he just got his papers to be inducted in to the Army. He spent both his years, after basic of course, at Ft. Detrick, and never mentioned it had ended. Anyway I agree with CoAspen that this is not SDA history, has nothing to do with SDAs, this is all about the USArmy and nothing more or less. And I actually know quite a few others that went to this program and all had a pretty good experience. And also most if not all had nothing bad to say about there time there. They felt they were doing there country a great service.

[Gordon1]

Thanks pk. And for the date discrepancy too. Yes, I also heard 1973 as the official end date. Funny how history is often rewritten and few notice unless they're onsite like yourself.

But we can't dismiss this as a military story - it's definitely Adventist lore front & center.

The summer 1970 edition of Spectrum magazine has an article "Project Whitecoat" by Martin D. Turner, during which period the editor (and founder of Spectrum) was a Loma Linda physician. And it quotes the March 20, 1969 Review and Herald which also addresses the subject. Unquestionably an Adventist story.

The Spectrum article raises plenty of red flags. It's very much about SDAs - a convenient and compliant group for military experiments with the quiet cooperation of church hierarchy. Congressman Richard McCarthy (D - NY) is quoted " My knowledge of [Project Whitecoat], and I base that on statements made by very responsible people, is that it is offensive not defensive, and that the Seventh-day Adventists are being duped." (Spectrum, p. 65)

One can hardly blame the recruits. Most 18 - 20 year olds of that era were trained to obey. Obey parents, church & government.

In another publication there's a shot of two church officials at the bedside of a Project Whitecoat recruit - can't locate it at the moment. NBC also broadcast the SDA angle by interviewing a young Adventist participant for their show First Tuesday, dealing with chemical and biological warfare. (aired Feb. 4, 1969)

[John317]

An extremely old story brought up many times on the forum....not sure why.

I knew people in the Whitecoats, before and after Army service, with out complaints. It was voluntary only and with knowledge of what they were participating in. It was a great service to their country and mankind.

I totally agree with you, coAspen. I knew people in the program and I myself was a medic during that period. I came close to volunteering for it. As a kid, I went with my family back to Washington, D.C. and visited a family friend of ours who was in "the White Coats." He was well taken care of and he enjoyed his service. (He recently died as an old man of a heart attack.)

In those days, it was common for people to love their country and want to help the nation in whatever way they could. We have to remember that this was during the Cold War, and we were threated by the real possibility of war with a number of communist powers who, if there had been a major war, would almost certainly have used biological warfare.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I happened to be at a reunion of the Whitecoats about 5 years ago. Everyone I talked with thought it had been a very worthwhile service to have done, and I heard absolutely no one complain about it. About 300 Whitecoats were there.

[Gordon1]

In those days, it was common for people to love their country and want to help the nation in whatever way they could. We have to remember that this was during the Cold War, and we were threated by the real possibility of war with a number of communist powers who, if there had been a major war, would almost certainly have used biological warfare.

Hi John,

I'm sure you'll agree that God's people have a much higher calling than nationalism or patriotism. War is a constant throughout human history. And often it's a manufactured threat.

'Serving God & country' is a maxim used to support the military industrial complex and send more young men and women to their graves or PTSD hell. And to kill millions of foreign civilians.

'Loving one's country' is not the highest or purest motive for service. Rather it allows manipulation of the individual by a confederacy - being unequally yoked with unbelievers. Following orders to kill those for whom Christ died when the Bible says Thou shalt not kill. ('Following orders' was the common Nazi defense at Nuremberg.)

But what else can an individual do when carried by the tide of an organization?

God is waiting & looking for a people who will love Him, and their fellow man, above any other calling. We have a citizenship in Heaven John. If our eyes are not kept on that country, this soil is all we can claim.

[Gordon1]

Thanks Pam,

I hope none were physically or mentally harmed by Whitecoat, but if they were, it's less certain they would attend a reunion.

[John317]

I was a non-combatant during the Vietnam war, and decided to do what Desmond Doss did, which was to heal rather than destroy. I was prepared to give medical aid to the enemy, but I was fortunate to be sent to Europe instead of Vietnam. Then, after I was discharged from the military, I went to college and there I joined the anti-war movement during the closing years of American involvement in Vietnam.

I really have no argument against what you say in your post in terms of believers' views of war. My whole purpose in my previous post was to put the White Coat program into its historical-political context as I saw it.

People shouldn't be judged according to the understandings and views that other people have in a different time and under completely different circumstances. I'm sure none of us would want a future generation to judge us by their knowledge and experiences instead of by our knowledge and experiences. At the time we're speaking of, primarily during the 1960s, Americans saw the soldier's who volunteered for the White Coat program as good, patriotic Americans who were sacrificing to make a positive contribution to America. I just don't think we should go back with the political climate and the views of today and talk about their service as if those men were less than honorable.

[Gordon1]

In those days, it was common for people to love their country and want to help the nation in whatever way they could.

John,

I believe that despite the troublous times and mounting personal crises, these good sentiments still exist. But students of prophecy know such feelings will be used by church & state to rally the masses to save America from destruction. Christian nationalism will be invoked to "save the country from God's judgments".

"Return to Sunday-keeping and appease God's wrath" will be the patriot's call. Those who are conscientious objectors will be marked men & women.

There's only one army which can truly help the people of America, but service is for life under a blood-stained banner.

[LifeHiscost]

Well, I just heard about it. Haven't seen it on the board before and thought others would find it interesting. Sorry it bothered you to read it again. Not all SDAs know everything about our past history.

Thank you, Amelia, for posting that. While I wasn't an Adventist during the 50s and only in the service for three years during the 50s, I had never heard of the experimentation.

It brings to mind the experiment with sin, which was known would take place before Lucifer was created, and eventually led to the plan of innoculation through the blood of Jesus, that only was proven successful when the Son of man was born to die.

We can be grateful no one died for their part in the "White Coat" experiments, while all taking part in the heavenly experiment must die at least once, and for those who choose to accept the heavenly plan, the reward is without parallel.

""Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"John 3:7 NASB

God blesses!

[Gordon1]

I was a non-combatant during the Vietnam war, and decided to do what Desmond Doss did, which was to heal rather than destroy. I was prepared to give medical aid to the enemy, but I was fortunate to be sent to Europe instead of Vietnam. Then, after I was discharged from the military, I went to college and there I joined the anti-war movement during the closing years of American involvement in Vietnam.

I really have no argument against what you say in your post in terms of believers' views of war. My whole purpose in my previous post was to put the White Coat program into its historical-political context as I saw it.

People shouldn't be judged according to the understandings and views that other people have in a different time and under completely different circumstances. I'm sure none of us would want a future generation to judge us by their knowledge and experiences instead of by our knowledge and experiences. At the time we're speaking of, primarily during the 1960s, Americans saw the soldier's who volunteered for the White Coat program as good, patriotic Americans who were sacrificing to make a positive contribution to America. I just don't think we should go back with the political climate and the views of today and talk about their service as if those men were less than honorable.

Hi John,

Thanks for your testimony and perspective. Yes, many Americans saw Project Whitecoat as a patriotic mission, though some like Congressman Richard McCarthy pointed out the flaws of reasoning which led to SDA Church endorsement. Duped was his word, but see the Spectrum article for other red flags (summer 1970).

To clarify past posts, I don't question the honor of these men John. In my firm opinion, as a group they were sold into a program which compromised their health and safety, very likely, as reports suggest for biological weapon development. (Not defensive vaccines alone). Some may have volunteered for such a program with full disclosure, but the military never fully discloses their ends, nor their means to get there, so it's unlikely.

The recruits are not to blame, rather the complicit churchmen who at some point arranged this fit of well-trained obedient youth with military doctors to assuage the Pentagon. (If the Church was proud of this cooperation they would have publicized it long before secular journalists broke it to national television.)

John, know ye not that we shall judge angels who left their first habitation long ere we were born?

[LifeHiscost]

I'd like to see the informed consent contract. Who would dare question Uncle Sam?

Another 'strickly voluntary, no coersion' military experiment using toxic agents.

'Twould be a first.

I spent three years in the Marine Corps and recall signing my name strictly voluntarily. The only coercion involved was the deception of the young men to cause them to think the ensuing years were going to be glory years, a favorite tactic of the enemy of souls before the slavery of sin is seen for what it is.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NASB

God blesses!

[SivartM]

I'm sure that they were not bad people, but I fail to see how developing biological weapons is non-combatant. You're still killing people indirectly.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

But what else can an individual do when carried by the tide of an organization?

God is waiting & looking for a people who will love Him, and their fellow man, above any other calling. We have a citizenship in Heaven John. If our eyes are not kept on that country, this soil is all we can claim.

And because of those young men, many who died giving service that required their life, you have the freedom to say what you just said. While war doesn't seem to solve any problems on this earth, war started in heaven and someone fought in order to preserve that freedom.

We can be glad for some who have been and are willing to sacrifice their lives so you can badmouth their efforts, which freedoms are rapidly diminishing, but if no sacrifice earlier in our history, you would be saying "heil" somebody now instead of "Have a good day."

As to my own preferences, instead of blowing somebody else to smithereens, I do choose this way as a better way.

"We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense."

2 Corinthians 6:7 NLT

God blesses!

[Gordon1]

I spent three years in the Marine Corps and recall signing my name strictly voluntarily. The only coercion involved was the deception of the young men to cause them to think the ensuing years were going to be glory years, a favorite tactic of the enemy of souls before the slavery of sin is seen for what it is.

Thank you LHC,

This deception of young men is a large part of mind control with military operations. True informed consent explains all the risks, benefits, alternatives and long term effects. And it implies responsibility for authorities as well, so many human subjects are never given full disclosure. ("Why worry them, they wouldn't understand anyway") The same happens in medicine today.

Most twenty year olds are idealistic and forward-looking, glad to be wanted, especially by learned men of science in giving service to their country. Such are noble traits but exploited by those in authority. So has it ever been.

We can't be sure there were no injuries, deaths or long term disabilities from Whitecoat.

The Spectrum article states that "Project Whitecoat is the only program at Fort Detrick that involves experiments on humans...a group made up almost exclusively of Seventh-day Adventists." (p. 56)

"Since that time (1954) about 1500 men have served in this unit [summer 1970]." (p. 60)

[Gordon1]

"In October 1954 then Surgeon General George Armstrong sent a letter to Theodore R. Flaiz, secretary of the General Conference Medical Department, in which he noted that Lieutenant Colonel W.D. Tigertt, commanding officer of the medical unit at Fort Detrick, had been invited "to present to representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Conference a request for their assistance in the conduct of a study of the highest importance to our nation's health. Only through the use of volunteers can the necessary information be obtained." Spectrum, summer 1970, p. 60.

LHC, thanks for the input. Yes, while we have freedom of speech it should be exercised. I hope my great uncles who died in uniform would find some relief that their blood was not shed in vain. So instead of visiting many (non-existent) cousins I can exchange with a former U.S. Marine.

It may appear as 'badmouthing', but you've misread LHC, the servicemen are not the subject of discussion. At stake is the far greater principle of transparency & disclosure amongst God's professed leaders. And true freedom of conscience for the laity. Most definitely an end-time issue, but few seem to grasp it thus.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I'm sure that they were not bad people, but I fail to see how developing biological weapons is non-combatant. You're still killing people indirectly.

Sometimes it's "kill or be killed"... not a great choice.

I wonder if it's ever been shown that any of the White Coats were killed due to the program.

[Jeannieb43]

From what I've read, none of the Whitecoat volunteers died as a result of the testing. But many of them became violently ill during the procedures.

[Gordon1]

Correction & apology to John 317 and LifeHisCost

The real principle at stake is liberty of conscience.

Do we tolerate those who question the authority of church or government?

Or do we automatically stand with the authority and brand the dissenters as rebels, heretics, spies?

Only a few years ago George W. Bush remarked: "If you are not with us, you are with the terrorists" This left no other option, no freedom of conscience.

It's a coercion of thought, of ideology. Those who refuse to follow are given the rack - the Inquisition all over again.

Is our mind conditioned to follow God or follow man?

[John317]

"In October 1954 then Surgeon General George Armstrong sent a letter to Theodore R. Flaiz, secretary of the General Conference Medical Department, in which he noted that Lieutenant Colonel W.D. Tigertt, commanding officer of the medical unit at Fort Detrick, had been invited "to present to representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Conference a request for their assistance in the conduct of a study of the highest importance to our nation's health. Only through the use of volunteers can the necessary information be obtained." Spectrum, summer 1970, p. 60.

What do you make of this paragraph? Do you conclude from this that the SDA church was complicit in deceiving SDAs into helping the American government do evil or immoral things?

Originally Posted By: Gordon1

It may appear as 'badmouthing', but... the servicemen are not the subject of discussion. At stake is the far greater principle of transparency & disclosure amongst God's professed leaders. And true freedom of conscience for the laity. Most definitely an end-time issue, but few seem to grasp it thus.

OK, I see this point. But I'm not convinced that this is what happened in relation to the Whitecoat operation. In what way exactly did the SDA church mislead SDAs insofar as the Whitecoat operation is concerned?

I was never under the illusion that the Whitecoats were only helping develop defenses against an enemy's weapons, and I doubt the SDAs who took part in it would have changed their minds about serving if they'd been given the information we know today.