CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020001-4

Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020001-4
3-6/50
26 DEC 63
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBJECT
: Clandestine Services Requirement for
Research in the Life Sciences
1. Recently, reports from various sources on life science
research in the Soviet Union have been called to my attention.
These reports indicate a current preoccupation by an important
sector of Soviet biological science with cybernetics, telepathy,
hypnosis, and related subjects. Stimulated by these reports, I
would like to pass on to you some thoughts on the possible sig-
nificance of these activities to the Clandestine Services.
2. Prior to the creation of the Office of the DDS&T, a small
group in TSD attempted to follow current research in the life sci-
ences. Their particular interest was in the kind of scientific pro-
gress that indicated the feasibility of developing operationally
useable systems. After ten years of following this subject, TSD's
reading was that, with minor exceptions, the fields of hypnosis,
telepathy, and general control of human behavior were not ready
for operational applications.
3. I feel there is a need for a continuing search and reexamin-
ation of this somewhat esoteric (and perhaps scientifically disrepu-
table) range of activities toward the end of useable techniques for
the CS. TSD's current mission has been oriented away from this
sort of basic research activity and towards close-in support of
clandestine agent operations. In the light of the reports mentioned
above, I am concerned that recent reported advances in these fields
may indicate more potential than we believed existed. I can perceive
operational applications, for the CS, in the areas of agent communi-
cation, interrogation, telemetry, and in the general area of control
of human behavior, should breakthroughs in our understanding of
these phenomena occur.
4. I am assuming that your research group is taking this area
of activity under their cognizance and they will, through their con-
tacts in TSD, bring to our attention any indications of practical
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020001-4

Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020001-4
utility that can be made of these techniques so that TSD can
proceed toward specific operational applications.
5. I am happy to note that TSD and ORD are proceeding
with a series of monthly meetings to developing an understand-
ing in depth of CS requirements in these and other fields. This
note is not meant to supplant such a series of discussions as it
applies to behavioral activities. I merely want to reinforce the
dependence of the CS on your office for these matters.
SGFOIA3
Richard Helms
Deputy Director for Plans
Distribution:
O & 1 - Addressee
2 - DDP
2 - TSD
Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700020001-4
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