Remember When They Fed Radioactive Oatmeal to Children — And Called It Science? -WEEK IN REVIEW

Remember When They Fed Radioactive Oatmeal to Children — And Called It Science? -WEEK IN REVIEW

Between 1946 and 1953, at a Massachusetts institution called the Walter E. Fernald State School, dozens of boys were recruited into something called a “Science Club.” They were promised special perks — better food, baseball games, trips to the beach. What they weren’t told was that their breakfast oatmeal and milk were secretly laced with radioactive iron and calcium.

The so-called nutritional study was designed by scientists from MIT, funded in part by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, and co-sponsored by Quaker Oats, which supplied the cereal. The goal was to measure how well the body absorbed minerals from food — but the method violated every basic rule of ethics and consent.

The children, many labeled “feebleminded” or “morons” by the state, were wards of Massachusetts — boys without parents, without rights, and without the ability to refuse. Some were even injected with radioactive materials in follow-up experiments. None were told what was happening to them.

When the truth came out decades later, public outrage was immediate. Survivors like Fred Boyce came forward, saying the greatest harm wasn’t the radiation — it was being treated like an object, not a person. In 1998, MIT and Quaker Oats settled a class-action lawsuit for $1.85 million, and President Bill Clinton issued an apology on behalf of the federal government for Cold War-era human radiation testing.

But behind the headlines is a bigger story — about power, secrecy, and the belief that science justifies anything.

In this episode, we dig deep into the Fernald radioactive oatmeal experiments — what really happened, who was responsible, what became of the victims, and how it changed human-subject research forever.

Hosted by Tony Brueski.
Subscribe for more longform true-crime investigations that expose the hidden side of power, psychology, and justice.

#HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #FernaldExperiment #RadioactiveOatmeal #ColdWarHistory #HumanExperimentation #MIT #QuakerOats #InstitutionalAbuse #ScienceEthics

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Episoder(500)

Did Wendi Adelson Try To Frame Her Ex-Boyfriend For The Murder Of Her Ex-Husband Dan Markel?

Did Wendi Adelson Try To Frame Her Ex-Boyfriend For The Murder Of Her Ex-Husband Dan Markel?

Did Wendi Adelson Try To Frame Her Ex-Boyfriend For The Murder Of Her Ex-Husband Dan Markel? This segment covers the aftermath of Jeff Lacasse’s police scrutiny. Initially considered a suspect, Jeff cooperated fully—offering credit card receipts, surveillance video, and cell phone records that placed him in Tennessee at the time of Dan Markel’s murder. His cooperation cleared him, but not before Wendy suggested him as a possible suspect. The jury’s own questions dig into Wendy’s mindset: her bitterness about losing relocation battles, her constant frustration with custody, and her unhappiness in Tallahassee. They ask whether Wendy’s desire for control over her children’s lives was so strong that it pushed her closer to her family’s extreme solutions. The hosts point out how damning these questions are. Even when Wendy wasn’t under direct suspicion, the narrative that emerged from Jeff’s testimony and the jury’s curiosity made her look like someone deeply enmeshed in resentment and dysfunction. This segment bridges testimony with motive, showing how Wendy’s unhappiness and silence around her family’s plotting remain some of the most haunting aspects of the Adelson saga. Hashtags:  #JeffLacasse #WendyAdelson #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #CourtroomTestimony #MurderForHire #CustodyBattle Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

23 Sep 13min

Was Wendy Adelson Controlled by Her Family—or an Active Player?

Was Wendy Adelson Controlled by Her Family—or an Active Player?

Was Wendy Adelson Controlled by Her Family—or an Active Player? Here the panel pulls back from testimony to analyze the broader psychology of Wendy Adelson. Was she a victim of her domineering family, or did she actively choose to participate in their schemes? The answer, the hosts argue, may lie somewhere in between. They dive into the psychology of narcissistic families, where unhealthy dynamics are normalized and children are conditioned to go along with toxic behavior. Wendy may have grown up immersed in Donna’s manipulations, but as an adult she had agency—and she chose to stay. She benefitted from the family’s influence and comfort, even if that meant turning a blind eye to extreme actions. The discussion highlights the danger of passivity. While Wendy was never charged, the evidence suggests she knew more than she let on. Failing to warn Dan Markel about potential threats wasn’t just a personal lapse—it may be complicity by omission. This segment underscores one of the most uncomfortable truths about the case: complicity doesn’t always look like direct action. Sometimes, it’s silence, inaction, and the willingness to stay tethered to a toxic system. Hashtags:  #WendyAdelson #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #CourtroomDrama #FamilyPsychology #MurderTrial #JeffLacasse Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

23 Sep 15min

Wendy Adelson’s Ex Exposes the Chaos Behind Closed Doors

Wendy Adelson’s Ex Exposes the Chaos Behind Closed Doors

Wendy Adelson’s Ex Exposes the Chaos Behind Closed Doors In this 15-minute stretch, we see Jeff’s relationship with Wendy implode. He recalls the June 29 Gainesville trip where he confronted her about suspected infidelity. What followed was a night of accusations, emotional outbursts, and shifting stories—Wendy would confess to other men one moment, then deny it minutes later. The next morning, their three-hour car ride back to Tallahassee was filled with tears and silence. The hosts dissect this argument as more than just a lover’s quarrel—it’s a case study in gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional instability. Wendy framed their relationship as if Jeff were “auditioning” to be her husband and father figure to her children, while simultaneously engaging in erratic behavior. The conversation expands into how narcissistic family systems normalize chaos, how trauma bonds can trap intelligent people in toxic dynamics, and why Jeff stayed longer than he should have. The panel highlights the classic “fixer” mentality and how physical attraction often overrides red flags, even when the danger signs are obvious. This segment is raw, uncomfortable, and revealing. It doesn’t just show cracks in Wendy’s relationship; it paints a clearer picture of the erratic behavior and control that defined the Adelson family at every level. Hashtags:  #WendyAdelson #JeffLacasse #DanMarkel #AdelsonTrial #DonnaAdelson #CharlieAdelson #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #CourtroomTestimony #Gaslighting Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

23 Sep 18min

Murder Plots Over Dinner With Wendi Adelson? The Adelson Lifestyle on FULL Display

Murder Plots Over Dinner With Wendi Adelson? The Adelson Lifestyle on FULL Display

Murder Plots Over Dinner With Wendi Adelson? The Adelson Lifestyle on FULL Display This part of the testimony peels back another disturbing layer. Jeff recalls Wendy telling him about a “celebration dinner” with Charlie shortly after Dan Markel was killed. What should have been an unspeakable tragedy was instead framed as an event to toast. To make matters worse, Wendy would later suggest Jeff himself as a suspect—a move that almost ruined his life. Cross-examination digs into Jeff’s recollections, with questions about Ferrari colors, Charlie’s charisma, and whether Jeff might have been jealous. The attorneys push odd angles, including questions about bathroom trips and cocaine use, that leave the courtroom baffled. The hosts tear into this bizarre strategy, pointing out how the defense seemed desperate to redirect suspicion anywhere but toward Charlie and Donna. The conversation returns to the idea that Jeff may have been set up as the fall guy. His original travel plans had him leaving Tallahassee at the exact time Dan Markel was shot—until he changed them last minute. That twist may have blown apart a carefully orchestrated plan to place him near the scene. For listeners, this segment highlights the surreal mix of absurd and sinister in the Adelson case. Celebration dinners, strange cross-exams, and the very real possibility of framing an innocent man—the hallmarks of a family that normalized manipulation at every level. Hashtags:  #DanMarkel #WendyAdelson #JeffLacasse #DonnaAdelson #CharlieAdelson #MurderTrial #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #CourtroomDrama #MurderForHire Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

23 Sep 12min

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