That was funny about Fallout. Start a fight with that loan shark at the Den and then go hide behind a cop. As soon as one of his men shot the cop, they would be all over the loan shark and his guys.
Experiments on vault citizens wouldn't have been unusual during the 50's and 60's. America experimented on its own citizens and soldiers without their knowing it.
And by the way, if you come here with a chip on your shoulder, people are less likely to help you out. So far I have seen people trying help out by pointing you in the right direction.