MORI 149544

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Technical Branch, SRS, I&SO Proposed Research - Artichoke

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l. Reference is made to our numerous conversations regarding special proposed plant research in. connectiop with newsubstances for use in the Artichoke pregnam As.vou know, of OSI has recently returned fromal. s; etc.) in connection with research in relationto the plant Piule and other similar plants of interest to us. trip very clearly now establishes that we are heading in the right direction and that the substances in which we have an.interest apparently show strong toxic and narcotic. qualities.

2. On this date, Tuesday, 25 November l952, the writer spent one
and one-half hours withhnt carefully going over the research
to date and then held a fifteen-minute conference,arranged at the re
quest ofwith his superviso who
is Chief of the Medical Division of OSI.. As you know
has to have the authority orrrbefore he can travel or engare
in any research although is Chief ofhe Pharmacological
and Bio-Chemistry Pranch of OSI. As a result of this conference, it
now appears that an immediate trip and areas sòuth of is essential for

3. I am setting out below, under individual headings, the broad ramifications of this trip and request that vouand I have an immediate conference in this matter with, Pand, if necessary,ts I am reqièsting that the highest possible priority be attacned to this trip for reasons which will be clearly explained below:

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A. Individuals Necessary to See in Mexico.

had discovered that a world authority on Mexican plants and narcotic and toxicdrugs, is still alive.and is residing and working im has an easy entree to by his"cover which I will set out below and should be able to obtain first-rate assistance from thissgientist. has collaborated with in basic work on Piule and, hence. will probably first point of contact.

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In addition, has arranged necessary contacts with numrous other individuals in the scientific fields in and nearty to assist in this research.

B. Areas to be Visited iwt

will fly immediately te He will do certain.basic research and liaison activity in and around and from there will procede south to the nerewe have clear records that the local Andian tribes arc reported to have usedand are ncw using 'Piule and othar related narcotic plants. In this area. willdo plant research, make field tests, and will procure actual specimens for future work in the United States in connection with the drugs.

C. Time of Trip

It is cssential thaty fcave as soon as possible for it has been detormined that the coilection of plants and seeds, etc, is at its'maximum at, the present timeand will be for the next thirty to sixty days. aestimates the trin will consume thirty to sixty days, including necessary nlant research. The writer has ascertained that is prepared to leave immediately in this-connection and is furthernore propared to undertake the rugged search and plant work required.

D. Assistance Necessary fonee

has. informed the writer that no
assistance will be necessary for this trip excent as
he may require locally i He is familiar with
thisareaspeaks passahle and has contacts
arranged r will, of course, require some
funds to purcnase assistance and possibly to pak trans
portationcosts ofan: scientists that r feels may be of vaiue in-the field.

2.

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E. Authoriza'ion to Pass arantine for Bringing Plants Into the United States

Thas informed the writer that he and his associates in OSI will take care of all quarantine regulations and conditions necessary for the,bringing in ofmaterial obtained states that thisawillbe done by his contacts in the e He informed the writer tnere will he no problemin this connection.

F. Cover to be Used

bwill use the cover of the of wnich he is a menter. He will also be supported by necessary documentation fron and. from the He, of course, is a wellknown scientist and by reputation alone is ahle to ohtain a freedom of movement that other persons might not be able to do. will carry the necessary chenical and biological.testing equipment with him and barring certain purchases which he will have to make in the field, will carry nothing that would give ewaxsthe.exact nature of his mission. As an explanation will state tnat he is enenging in nedicai research having to do with the examination of narcotic crugs for anesthesia and related purposes.. This is regaried by the writer as being a completely broad enough field to duly protect cur interests.

G. Specific Otjects of this Hesearch to

This trip will be/discover, test, and obtain specimens of the plant group known as Piule and many of its related plants. Rosoarch has now shown that these plant3 have strong narcotic-toxic properties which are of vast interest to Artichoke. At the present time, very little is known of these plants and confusion exists as to which are the ones of greatest interest to us. b we will make field tests on the spot in connection with ail of these plants to assure us no worthless material is coliected. ods w111 use a spocial test that he has worked out and used for over fifteen years and wnich he knows to be reliable.

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3.

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ihas already collected thirty specinens lecallyo etc.) of related plants having toxic and narcotic properties and is presently engagod in testing these plants for properties of interest to Artichoke. Very little is known of this type of plant and extensive research is, therefore, required.

while i ill also attemot to obtain certain poisonous mushrooms; particulari the PANEOLUS CAMPANULAIUS and closely related species whicn are found in theareate-be visited. In this connection, it is known that these have a narcotic effect and are used by Indian tribes in ceremonies and for other pertinent reasons. It should he noted in connection with the use of mushrooms that the liussians have used narcotic mushroons to produce sone time and, hence, the Artichoke interest in this field.

H. Funds Necessary for this Trip

It is proposed that the Artichoke project pay the total cost for this trip. However, if this is not feasible, it is felt that the trip expenses couii re split, with 03t although the writer feels that the total pament ty Artichoke would be advantageous in tnis connection. These funds wili include all transcortation expenses including air travel betreen iis and return, train fare, automobile, hiring of guides, etc.

should also have funds with hhin for the purchase offield surplies, food, etc.; for the purchase of technical assistance in coilecting material;, for purchase of actual specinens in bulk and any cther necossary incidental expenditures as would be deternined by A The'writer feels that the trir nust not be handicapped because of lack of funds and will recommend that be given a substantial advance prior to departure. (Ihe writer estimates that the trip expenses, including purchase of materials, specimens, etc. should not exceed 2000.00. The cost of a roundtrip tickettaa sincluding Government tax.)

I. Authority for Trip

Perission for to make the trip to will have to cone fro Chief of the Medical Division of OSI. As men-ioned above,

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in an informal conversation witn the writer ascertained that. Nis apparently willing to givehis permission for srinmediate departure.

L. The writer requests that tais matter he taken up immediately since time in this case is definitely of the essence. It is believedi that as soon as the Artichoke problems involved are ironed -out, we should arrange a conf-rence wit and and firm up final details.

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The followin is taken fron a menorandun te fron ., dated lh January 1953 - Subject - interrogation Techniques:

3. If tho services of : a trained hymnotist can bo obtained and anothor nan weli rrounded in conventional psycholorical interrozation and polygriph tecluniques, a woll-balanced interrogation and the services of. research center could bo estanlished in an especiaily selected location.

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