It probably is. But what about when it was classified? Was it known that this research was ineffective then? So the potential was there, for great harm. "Hm

It probably is. But what about when it was classified? Was it known that this research was ineffective then? So the potential was there, for great harm. "Hmm. This could be a cure for cancer! We don't know, but we'll classify it all the same..." Of course, almost certainly everyone involved is long gone by now.