Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Available Data
The center of the British work was Porton Down, in Wiltshire, then called
the Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment (CDEE).
7
Work on
incapacitants preceded the Cabinet decision of May 1963.
8
The collected
papers from the CDEE for 1962 and 1964
9
detail three publications in the
open literature.
10
Moreover, as early as 1964 there were press reports of
work on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at Porton,
11
and of studies of
the effects of LSD on troops by 1969.
12
There was also a collection of pa-
pers from a symposium held at Porton in 1972,
13
and several topics by a
scientist involved in the early 1970s.
14
The work at Porton, and any associated extramural research else-
where, was reported to secret committees. The Chemical Defence Advi-
sory Board (CDAB) had a series of subordinate committees such as the
Chemistry Committee and, in turn, reported to the Advisory Council on
Scientific Research and Technical Development.
15
In the mid-1990s only one group of chemicals was thought likely to
be used as military incapacitating agents.
16
These are anticholinergics,
which block the effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). One
of these, BZ, was weaponized by the US during the 1960s,
17
and its mode
of action is understood (see below).
18
There have been two studies of aspects of the British search for an
incapacitant.
19
The next section uses official documentation to give a
year-by-year account of the development of the whole program.
Annual Developments
BEFORE 1963
Studies of LSD had commenced by 1956.
20
Studies of
new agents in general were under way in 1957, when a working party
was set up at the CDEE.
21
Investigations of incapacitants began on indole-
alkylamines (which might interfere with 5-hydroxytryptamine neuro-
transmission) and atropine-like substances (which might interfere with
acetylcholine neurotransmission).
22
Yet by the end of 1960 no clear lead
had emerged.
23
Dr. D. F. Downing reported on indoles to the Chemistry Committee in
late 1959.
24
He also introduced a paper to the committee in mid-1960 up-
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