Project Sunshine

A secret government program initiated in the 1950s to study the effects of radiation on human tissue, particularly young tissue. The program involved the collection of dead bodies, primarily babies and young children, through various means, including paying for them and even engaging in body snatching. The program was kept secret for decades, but eventually came to light in the 1990s, revealing the government's unethical practices and the potential harm caused by nuclear testing.

Atomic Bomb

A nuclear weapon that uses nuclear fission to produce a massive explosion. The first atomic bombs were developed during World War II by the United States as part of the Manhattan Project. The bombs were used against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, leading to the end of the war. The use of atomic bombs had a devastating impact on the cities and their inhabitants, and raised concerns about the long-term effects of radiation on human health.

Radiation

Energy that travels in the form of waves or particles. It can be emitted from radioactive materials, such as uranium and plutonium. Exposure to radiation can be harmful to human health, causing a range of effects from mild skin irritation to cancer and death. The level of harm depends on the amount of radiation exposure, the type of radiation, and the duration of exposure.

AEC

The Atomic Energy Commission, a former US government agency responsible for the development and regulation of nuclear energy. The AEC was established in 1946 to oversee the nation's nuclear program, including research, development, and production of nuclear weapons. The AEC was also responsible for regulating the use of nuclear materials and for promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The AEC was abolished in 1974 and its responsibilities were transferred to the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Strontium

A chemical element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38. Strontium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is reactive and readily forms compounds. It is found in small amounts in the Earth's crust and is used in various applications, including fireworks, vacuum tubes, and nuclear medicine. Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope of strontium that is produced in nuclear explosions and is a major component of nuclear fallout. It can accumulate in bones and can increase the risk of bone cancer and leukemia.

Tuskegee Syphilis Study

A notorious and unethical medical study conducted by the US Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972. The study involved the observation of the natural progression of syphilis in 399 African American men in Macon County, Alabama. The men were not informed of their diagnosis or that they were participating in a study. They were also denied treatment for syphilis, even after penicillin became available as a cure in the 1940s. The study was exposed in 1972 and led to a public outcry and a class-action lawsuit. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is considered one of the most egregious examples of medical racism and ethical misconduct in US history.

MKUltra

A top-secret CIA program that ran from the 1950s to the 1970s. The program involved the use of various methods of mind control and behavior modification, including hypnosis, drugs, and torture. The goal of MKUltra was to develop techniques for controlling and manipulating individuals, including foreign leaders and political opponents. The program was exposed in the 1970s and led to a public outcry and a congressional investigation. MKUltra is considered one of the most controversial and unethical programs in US intelligence history.