Defendant Rose: I was asking whether there was still a possibility of carrying out such a series of experiments. That is quite understandable, considering the situation, because one can see from my report of 29 May 1943, that this seemed to constitute a considerable advance on the experiments already made on animals. I knew that such experiments had been carried out earlier, although I basically objected to these experiments. This institution had been set up in Germany and was approved by the state and covered by the state. At that moment I was in a position which might correspond to that of a lawyer who is, perhaps, a basic opponent of capital punishment. On occasions when he is dealing with leading members of the government or with lawyers during public congresses or meetings, he will do everything in his power to maintain his opinion on the subject and have it put into effect. If, however, he does not succeed, he stays in his profession and in his environment in spite of this. Under certain circumstances he may perhaps even be forced to pronounce such a death sentence himself, although he is basically an opponent of the principle. Of course, it does not go as far as this in my case. I am only in touch with people of whom I assume that they somehow are included in the official channels of such an institution, which I disapprove of basically, and which I want to see removed.
Q. Professor, six persons died in this experiment with the Copenhagen vaccine, didn’t they?
A. Yes. They were six people who were furnished by the Reich Criminal Police Office through ordinary channels as determined by competent agencies.
[149] Closing statement is recorded in mimeographed transcript, 14 July 1947, pp. 10718-10796.
[150] Defendant before International Military Tribunal. See Trial of the Major War Criminals, Vols. I-XLII, Nuremberg, 1947.
[151] Final plea is recorded in mimeographed transcript, 18 July 1947, pp. 11220-11244.
[152] Defendant in case of United States vs. Ernst von Weizsaecker, et al. See Vols. XII, XIII, XIV.
[153] United States vs. Josef Altstoetter, et al. See Vol. III.