As Karl Brandt’s deputy Rostock was his agent in the field of medical science and research—Rostock being charged with the duty of coordinating and directing problems and activities concerning the medical health service insofar as science and research were concerned. Rostock was informed concerning medical research conducted by the several branches of the Wehrmacht. As head of the Office for Science and Research, he assigned research problems and designated some as “urgent”. It was his duty to avoid duplication of work in scientific research and to decide whether or not a suggested problem was worthy of a research assignment. It is clear that Rostock and Karl Brandt were intimate friends of years standing.
The prosecution does not contend that Rostock personally participated in criminal experiments. It vigorously argues, however, that—with full knowledge that concentration camp inmates were being experimented upon—he continued to function upon research assignments concerning scientific investigations, the result of which would probably further experiments upon human beings. The prosecution then argues that his knowledge concerning these matters, considered together with the position of authority which he occupied in connection with scientific research and the fact that he failed to exercise his authority in an attempt to stop or check criminal experiments, renders him guilty as charged.
In this connection the prosecution relies upon its Exhibit 457, a document which bears date at Berlin, 14 September 1944. It is headed, “Commissioner for Medical and Health Matters,” followed by “The Delegate for Science and Research.” Below appears:
“List of medical institutes working on problems of research which were designated as urgent by the discussion on research on 26 August 1944 in Beelitz.
“(Summary according to the 650 orders for research submitted to us.)”
The document then contains a list of research assignments numbered “1” to “45.” Numbers 42 and 44 read as follows:
“Strasbourg
“42. Hygiene Institute (Haagen) virus research
“44. Anatomical Institute (Hirt) Chemical warfare agents.”