DARK HISTORY: EDGEWOOD ARSENAL TESTING

Ninetoes heard about Edgewood Arsenal, particularly the BZ testing, on a television program, and wanted to learn more. Oh, the things he has learned.

(*Editor’s note: Not only was Blog Manager Tom a US Army Journalist, he was also an NBC NCO—NBC: Nuclear, Biological, Chemical—who trained at Ft. McClellan’s Chemical School nearly 40 years ago! His final exam was to detox a building the size of a small elementary school with enough nerve agent present to kill half the population of Central New York.)

Hey there, history lovers! It is your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes HQ. Today, I am looking at the Edgewood Arsenal Human Experiments. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!

In 1955, the U.S. Army Chemical Corps started testing the effects of chemicals on its soldiers. This series of experiments lasted 20 years, until the public became aware of what was going on and the program was shut down.

The purpose of these experiments was to test the effect of low-dose chemical warfare agents on army personnel and to further test protective clothing, medications, and vaccines. Some of these experiments were directed at psychochemical warfare under the title “Medical Research Volunteer Program” (which ran from 1956-75). This particular program was devised to develop more effective interrogation techniques.

All in all, 6,720 soldiers were experimented on with close to 250 different chemicals. The chemicals in question were: nerve agents (sarin and VX), mustard agents, nerve agent antidotes (atropine, scopolamine, 2‑PAM chloride), incapacitating chemicals (BZ), psychoactive agents (LSD, PCP, cannabinoids), riot control agents, and placebos (saline, alcohol, caffeine). Amid all of this, some of the participants received non-chemical stress and performance tests.

One of the more notable experiments held was in 1962. This particular test is referred to as the “Communications outpost test” led by Colonel John Ketchum. In this test, four soldiers were given various doses of BZ (3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate), which is odorless and bitter-tasting. BZ impairs muscle movement and causes delirium and hallucinations. The soldiers reported effects including mild disorientation, severe delirium, and some were unable to perform basic tasks. The effects lasted 24 hours, but some cognitive effects lasted longer.

The drug testing program ended amid scandal in 1975. The director of the program was brought before Congress and was chastised by angered lawmakers. The main question was over the failure to provide follow-up care to the volunteers. An Army investigation found no evidence of serious injury or deaths associated with the Medical Research Volunteer Program. Congress disapproved of the recruiting process and informed consent approach to the volunteers. Congress even went as far as to suggest coercion as a tactic to recruit into the program.

As for the BZ testing, the Army has denied any military use of the chemical in combat. The stockpile of BZ was destroyed after the Cold War, in 1991.

There were two other programs going on around the same time that should not be confused with this one. The first was a CIA-led MKUltra program. The other was Project 112, which was another military program.

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

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