ign
The Behavioral Teratology Socicfy AUG 15 1953
fstabtished un 1979 y
jaa bole: 1 Se, im paced
Ugnest L. Abel, Ph.D. Hugh Tilson, Ph.D.
Presictent Secretary
Granville Nolan, Fi
August 10, 1983 Treasurer

Or. Joshua Lederberg
President
The Rockefeller University

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

I am writing on behalf of the Behavioral Teratology Society and am asking tor your
help and support. The Behavioral Teratology Society was established in 1979 by a
group of researchers interested in behavioral dysfunctions that might result from
prenatal exposure to certain agents. The thalidomide catastrophe made all of us
keenly awarc that severe and obvious birth defects could be caused by prenatal
exposure to some agents. We now know that some nutritional and environmental

factors, chemicals, and drugs can also cause later behavioral effects, in the
absence of gross physical malformations, when exposure to them occurs early in
developrent. These effects can include mental retardation or more subtle behavioral
problems such as hyperactivity. Behavioral teratologists are interested in examining
the relationship between prenatal exposure to these agents and later behavioral effects.

The Behavioral Teratology Society has grown rapidly in the last few years, and now meets
each year as a satellite session of the Teratology Society. In the last few years, we
have sponsored symposia on various topics including fetal alcohol effects and the
developm ntal effects of early exposure to heavy metals. This year our symposium

will be on the effects of undernutrition during pregnancy. In addition to this
symposiun, paper and poster sessions covering a wide ranye vf topics will also be
included.

As the Society has grown, the cost of sponsoring these various symposia and sessions

has also grown. At. present our administrative costs are primarily borne by the

Teratology Society and contributions from a few concerned companies and philanthropic
organizations such as the March of Dimes. However, we need assistance in sponsoring UZ
the symposium on nutrition. Several eminent scientists will be contacted, and we

would Like help to defray some of their costs while attending the meeting.

The Behavioral Teratology Society is a tax exempt, nonrrcefit organization and any
contributions that your organization coul! make would certainly be appreciated. ALL
contributions are also given special thanks in our published program. If I can te

of any atsistance or anewer any questions that you micht haw about the Socioty,
ploase feel free to conti’ me.

 
 

flufy Sincerely,
NL a ple
“ Pesearch Institute on Alcoholisn
L2lL Main street :
Buffalo, New York La2c3 Tirmest L. Abel, PH.D,
(716) 337-2557 President

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