Report Charges DoD Ignored Information on Secret Chemical/Biological Weapons Tests on US Troops

The release of a new report on secret chemical and biological weapons tests performed on US troops by the Department of Defense during the cold war has prompted the call for further Congressional investigations into the growing scandal. The General Accounting Office recently released its report on the DoD's investigation into Project SHAD and Project 112. Among its many findings, the GAO report cites the Defense Department did not exhaust all possible sources of information during its investigation and cited hundreds of secret tests outside of Project 112 and Project SHAD that were not investigated. Additionally, the DoD did not identify civilian personnel who were exposed during the tests. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), who authored the legislation requiring the GAO report, called the findings alarming and said that further Congressional action would be needed. “The report shows that the Defense Department continues to keep life or death information from veterans who may have been the subject of these tests,” Thompson said. “These veterans have the right to know what agents they were exposed to.” Between 1962-1974 the Department of Defense conducted chemical and biological testing on U.S. service members and civilians under Project SHAD and Project 112. In 2002 Rep. Thompson introduced legislation that would require the DOD to, make public all tests, provide veterans with the healthcare that they need, and require a GAO investigation. Thompson's language was included in the 2003 Defense Authorization Act. In response to the GAO's findings, Rep. Thompson plans to introduce legislation that would set up a panel of independent investigators to ensure information regarding all chemical and biological tests are brought to light. ###