Radiation Biology in Cancer Research, edited by

. Raymond E. Meyn and H. Rodney Withers.
Raven Press, New York © 1980.

Medical Radiation and Possible Adverse Effects
on the Human Embryo

Mary Esther Gaulden and Robert C. Murry

K Ae
Radiation Biology Section and Radtdlogical Physics Section, Department of Radiology,
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Daltas, Dallas, Texas 75235

January 23, 1981

Dr. Joshua Lederberg, President
Rockefeller University

1230 York Avenue

New York, NY 1002]

Bear Dr. Lederberg:

A few weeks ago I came across the foreword which you wrote in 197]
for the book by Epstein and Legator on "Mutagenicity of Pesticides."
Especially interesting was your comment: "If the malformation
induced by thalidomide were a mental retardation of 10% of the

I.Q., instead of a highly characteristic and unusual deformation of
the limbs, in an equal number of subjects, we would be unaware of

jt to this day."

I am enclosing a reprint of an article I published last year whose

central thesis bears on the same idea. I would like very much to |

have an opportunity to discuss this subject with you when you are a
on our campus for a visit in late February, and if you have the ~_
time to look over this reprint, I would appreciate any criticisms

or comments you might have on it. Much more attention needs to be

given to the problem of low level environmental chemical exposure
(including medical pharmaceuticals) and "subtle" teratogenesis in

the human. It is a fascinating subject, especially the possible
involvement of the central nervous system; I am currently in the

process of trying to formulate some good experimental questions

with which to approach the subject.

I have asked Dean Neaves' office to include, if possible, my laboratory
on your schedule while you are in Dallas, and I hope that we can
look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely, o) Ly,

f

PM OME “otha OP
“Mary Es er Gaulden, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Chief,
Radiation Biology Section

MEG: cms