After celebrating our 500th episode, we've been busy traveling and teaching all over the country, with instructors spread out - including us! We had to take a step back for a bit, and now we're catching up. Mike hit the road while Bob held things down in the studio. In this double episode, we're diving into the fascinating history of radiation. Tune in for some fresh insights!

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ObexionFR

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908 Devices

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Episode Overview:

In this gripping and unsettling episode, the hosts uncover a disturbing piece of forgotten history: the Fernald Radiation Experiments. Blending historical insight, ethical reflection, and candid conversation, they explore how vulnerable children were exploited in the name of scientific progress during the early atomic age. This episode is a deep dive into government secrecy, corporate complicity, and the legacy of unethical human experimentation.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps:

00:00 – 05:18 | Opening Banter & Setup

• Casual intro leads into the topic
• Hints at shocking content to come

05:19 – 06:34 | A Shocking Discovery

• Hosts react to the topic with disbelief
• Introduction to the Fernald Radiation Experiments

06:35 – 08:18 | Historical Context

• Post-WWII scientific optimism and Cold War fears
• Surge in atomic research and lack of ethical oversight

08:19 – 10:18 | Scale of Experiments

• Over 4,000 human radiation experiments in the US
• Government and AEC involvement

10:19 – 11:03 | Public Trust and Ethical Failures

• Legacy of these experiments on public health and trust

11:04 – 16:28 | Fernald State School: A Breeding Ground for Abuse

• Description of Fernald and its vulnerable population
• Social prejudices and the dehumanization of mentally disabled children

16:29 – 18:36 | The “Science Club” Deception

• Manipulation of children into joining a fake science club
• Complete lack of informed consent

18:36 – 21:09 | The Iron and Calcium Tracer Experiments

• Details of experiments involving radioactive iron and calcium
• No long-term monitoring or care

21:10 – 24:37 | Quaker Oats’ Involvement

• Shocking revelation of corporate sponsorship
• Quaker Oats’ role in funding and biasing the experiments

24:38 – 25:53 | Modern-Day Parallels

• Reflection on how corporate interest still affects ethics in research today
• Tease for the next episode covering further inquiries