of their inability to keep theplatform level. Although the
reportismostlyconcernedwiththeeffectofthenervepoison
ontheperformancelevelofthemonkeys,itdoesgivesome
insight into other effects of chemical weapons:
The subject was completely incapacitated on the day
following the last exposure, displaying neurological
symptoms including gross incoordination, weakness, and
intention tremor ... These symptoms persisted for several
days,duringwhichtheanimalremainedunabletoperformthe
PEP task.^3
Dr. Donald Barnes was for several years principal
investigator at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace
Medicine,andinchargeoftheexperimentswiththePrimate
Equilibrium Platform at Brooks Air Force Base. Barnes
estimates that he irradiated about one thousand trained
monkeysduring hisyears inthis position.Subsequentlyhe
has written:
Forsomeyears,Ihadentertainedsuspicionsabouttheutility
ofthedataweweregathering.Imadeafewtokenattemptsto
ascertainboththedestinationandthepurposeofthetechnical
reportswepublishedbutnowacknowledgemyeagernessto
acceptassurancesfromthosein commandthatwewere,in
fact,providingarealservicetotheU.S.AirForceand,hence,
tothedefenseofthefreeworld.Iusedthoseassurancesas
blinkersto avoidtherealityofwhatIsawinthefield,and
eventhoughIdidnotalwayswearthemcomfortably,theydid
servetoprotectmefromtheinsecuritiesassociatedwiththe
potential loss of status and income....