Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700020001-4
          j) ~z ( , T & <I
          MEMORANDUN.,' :FOR- Deputy Director for Science and Teclu-iology
                    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 rr)y 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 son-,e 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 sniall
          group in TSD attempted to follow current research in the life sci-
          encea. 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 hurnan behavior were not ready
          for operational applications.
               3. 1 feel there is a need for a continuing search and reexarnin-
          ation of this son.,tewhat esoteric (and perhaps scientifically disrepu-
          table) range of activities toward the end of useable techniques for
          the GS. TSDIs current nAssion has been oriented away froin 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
          rnay indicate more potential than we believed existed. I can perceive
          operational applications, for the CS, in the areas of agent cornmuni-
          cation, interrogation, telanietry, and in the general area of control
          of hunian behavior, should breakthroughs in our understanding of
          these phenomena occur.
               4. 1 am assurning 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
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          Approved For Release 2000108107 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700020001-4
          utility that can be ix.~ade of these techniques so that TSD can
          proceed toward specific operational applications.
               5. 1 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 raerely want to reinforce the
          dependence of the CS on your office for these matters.
          SGFOIA3
                    Pic parme trims
               c r e In a
               Deputy Director for Plans
               Distribution:
          0 & I Addressee
          2 DDI"
          2 I'S D
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