Operation Whitecoat

Operation Whitecoat was a U.S. Army program from 1954 to 1973 that involved medical research using volunteers, primarily conscientious objectors, who opposed military service on ethical grounds. Participants received training and were exposed to various biological agents, including pathogens, to study their effects and develop medical countermeasures. The operation aimed to enhance military preparedness for biological warfare while ensuring the volunteers' safety and consent. It is notable for its ethical implications and the careful oversight required in human medical research during that era.