The Human Cost?

November 2, 1949

Walter E. Fernald State School

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and this institutions are very much interested in the various aspects of nutrition, particularly how the body absorbs various cereals, iron and vitamins.

We are considering the selection of a group of our brighter patients, including.....[blank appears in the text here] to receive a special diet rich in the above mentioned substances for a period of time. We wish to keep an accurate record of the effect of these substances, such as, gains in weight and other improvements, particularly in the blood. It will be necessary to make some blood tests at stated intervals, similar to those to which our patients are already accustomed, and which will cause no discomfort or change in their physical condition other than possibly improvement. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology plans to reward patients taking part.

Enclosed please find a blank which I request that you sign and return in the enclosed stamped addressed envelope, as soon as possible. The signed and witnessed blank will signify that you have no objection to your son participating in this project as outlined above.

You may rest assured that I personally feel this project will be of great importance and that much valuable information concerning nutrition can be obtained which eventually will be of considerable benefit to mankind. I hope that I can count on your cooperation.

Very truly yours,

Malcolm J. Farrell, M.D.,

Superintendent

The preceding is the text of a 1949 letter sent to parents of students at the Fernald State School. It was released by the Harvard News Office late Monday.

The letter, which was written by the school's superintendent on Fernald school stationery, asks parents to allow their children to participate in experiments in which Harvard and MIT scientists used radioactive tracers to monitor the students' intake of calcium, iron and other vitamins.

But the letter does not mention the use of radioactive materials or the involvement of Harvard researchers.