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CNN World Report

Cold War Nuclear Testing at U. of Chicago Raises Concerns

Aired June 24, 2001 - 14:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: A prestigious university is the target of allegations of questionable practices involving nuclear testing during the Cold War. Health officials in Australia are looking into whether the University of Chicago illegally used the bodies of Australian still born babies to conduct the tests. Australia's Network 10 has this perspective on what authorities say was nicknamed Operation Sunshine.

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DEBORAH KNIGHT, NETWORK 10 CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The height of the Cold War and recruited for nuclear testing: dead Australian babies used as gruesome guinea pigs.

DR. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE, AUSTRALIAN HEALTH MINISTER: I have to say I am appalled and it is very distressing for people who might have had a chile at that time.

KNIGHT: Measuring nuclear fallout from worldwide atomic testing, Chicago University in the U.S. shipped in the bodies of 6,000 still born and infant babies over 15 years. The doctor behind the Operation Sunshine telling hospitals in Australia, Britain and Canada, that "anybody who knew how to do a good job of body-snatching would be serving their country."

Mothers were never asked permission, the tests for radioactive material and cremated remains deemed to be for their own good.

LARRY ARBEITER, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO: And the concern among scientists was that young children drinking their mother's milk could be picking up the drug from the atmosphere.

KNIGHT: Overwhelming positive results, hoping to ban above- ground nuclear tests.

(on camera): The federal government is backing calls for an investigation into the issue, but says final responsibility lies with the states and territories. Some are already looking for answers, stating that mothers effected have a right to know.

STEVEN BRACKS, VICTORIAN PREMIER: Those sins of the past should not go unnoticed, and they should be part of the future.

KNIGHT: Comments striking a nerve with survivors of nuclear testing on Australian soil demanding a broader inquiry.

TERRY TOON, NUCLEAR TESTING VICTIM: There should be another rule of commission on (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The previous rule of commission, they had no documentation of what went on.

KNIGHT: Debra Knight, 10 News.

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