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Frank Olson was a biochemist who designed "assassination delivery systems" for the U.S. - underarm deodorants, bug spray, even lipstick poisoned with biological agents such as anthrax and botulism. Things were going well until one evening in November, 1953, when he was purposefully given a cocktail spiked with LSD - part of a secret CIA project to test potential truth drugs. Olson, who apparently had more misgivings about his work than his colleagues, reacted badly. He rapidly became paranoid and depressed. The CIA, anxious to hide their wayward test victim, put Olson in the care of an allergy doctor on their payroll. Olson responded by hurling himself to his death from the apartment where he was being held. For 20 years the government lied to Olson's wife and family about the cause of his death. And they kept testing LSD on unsuspecting dupes - of less-visible social standing than Frank Olson. Their fates, unlike Olson's, remain unknown. |
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For the full story of Frank Olson's raw deal - and those of 22 other American victims - read RAW DEAL, new in paperback from Blast Books. If you know of other casualties in America's quest for national security, please share your thoughts.
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