• Operation Sea Spray | NCN Podcast 4 - #podcast

  • Jan 17 2025
  • Length: 41 mins
  • Podcast

Operation Sea Spray | NCN Podcast 4 - #podcast

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  • Summary

  • Step back in time to 1950 and discover the little-known story of Operation Sea-Spray—a secret U.S. military experiment that unleashed bacteria into the San Francisco Bay Area without the knowledge or consent of its residents. In this episode, we explore the Cold War fears that drove the military to test how a biological agent might disperse in a crowded coastal city, and how the experiment’s “harmless” bacteria—Serratia marcescens and Bacillus globigii—were sprayed over unsuspecting neighborhoods.

    We’ll discuss the resulting uptick in unusual infections, including at least one death possibly linked to the operation, and how public outrage erupted once the details were revealed decades later. By examining the ethical and legal ramifications, you’ll see how Operation Sea-Spray became a catalyst for policy changes, stricter oversight, and a renewed demand for transparency in military and scientific research. Tune in to learn how a covert Cold War test left a lasting impact on public health, bioethics, and our trust in government institutions—and why its story remains a cautionary tale for modern-day science and defense practices.
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