Over a period of twenty years as a scientist with the agency, Gottlieb ran the largest systematic search for mind control techniques in history; he became the agency’s Poisoner in Chief and earned the dubious distinction of ‘the most prolific torturer of his generation.’ 

 “Gottlieb was able to ask his superiors to send him 10 people for the purpose of the experiment, and he would get them,” says Kinzer. Some of his victims were “simply innocent refugees without family, whose absence would not be felt by anyone, according to CIA estimates.”

He never paid for his crimes and died at the age of 80, survived by his wife and four children, Penny Gottlieb Chesluk, Rachel Gottlieb Samoff, Peter Gottlieb and Steven Gottlieb. Cleaving to old habits of secrecy, his wife declined to disclose the cause of Mr. Gottlieb's death.

(interesting side note: The former FDA commisioner, who also who sits on the boards of Pfizer and Illumina, name is Dr. Scott Gottlieb? Sidney Gottlieb also started out at the FDA)

Government Documents & Articles:

Information released via FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act)

'The Central Intelligence Agency has uncovered thousands of "lost" documents which show that its chemical and biological mind control experiments on human subjects were conducted as late as mid 1972.'
September 2, 1977 

Approved for Release
1/11/2005

Washington Post

READ HERE

'The ancient desire to control enemies through magical spells and potions had come alive again, and several offices within the CIA competed to become the head controllers.'
February 3, 1979

Approved for Release
10/13/2004

Saturday Review

READ HERE

had called him and said "Let's take this with us," or, "Let this die with us."

August 19, 1975

Approved for Release
March 9, 2010

Memorandum

READ HERE

Dr. Gottlieb's testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research was the first to link the narcotics bureau, since supplanted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, directly to drug testing.
September 22, 1977

Approved for Release
8/1/2001

The New York Times

READ HERE

"There was tangible evidence that both the Soviets and the Red Chinese might be using techniques of altering human behavior which were not understood by the United States and which would have implications of national survival."
September 22, 1977

Approved for Release 8/20/2007

The Morning Star

READ HERE

'Gottlieb testified poison for Lumumba came from agency's stockpile"
October 11, 1975

Approved for Release
1/10/2002

Cable

READ HERE

"and involved extensive use of potentially dangerous drugs, excessive electric shock treatment, and endless tape recorded messages to sleeping patients"
September 15, 1984

Approved for Release
8/21/2008

Radio TV Reports

READ HERE

News Articles:

How CIA scientist Sidney Gottlieb - the 'most prolific torturer of his generation’ - used potent drugs, extreme temperatures, food and sleep deprivation and electroshock for his mind control experiments on human 'expendables’

Read Article

The Secret History of Fort Detrick, the CIA’s Base for Mind Control Experiments: Today, it’s a cutting-edge lab. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was the center of the U.S. government’s darkest experiments.

Read Article