WORLD HEALTH if Ny ORGANISATION MONDIALE

ORGANIZATION DE LA SANTE
1211 GENEVA 27 - SWITZERLAND 1211 GENEVE 27 - SUISSE
Telegr.: UNISANTE-Geneva Télégr.: UNISANTE-Genéve

Tél. 346061 Télex, 22335

In reply please refer to: N64/372/31 27 March 1969

Priére de rappeler la référence:

Dear Josh,

I am very sorry you will not attend the meeting of our group, nor that
of Pugwash.

For the WHO submission we should like to include some thoughts on possible
long-term effects of CBW on the human gene pool, even if this involves some far
out thinking. I do not have in mind the one generation effect that could occur
were the (unlikely) use made of such agents as the rubella and other viruses
affecting the fetus, or of any human oncogenic agent that may be uncovered
analogous to the animal oncogenic viruses (adenovirus, SV 40, avian leukosis);
nor the use of genetic recombinants (e.g. influenza). While we should have
welcomed very much any contributions you would make on these points, perhaps
you might give some thought to other possible genetic effects on humans or
lower animals arising from the mass introduction through use in war of new or
already known chemical or biological agents (see enclosed reprint, p. 239).

The major chemicals we shall consider are the organophosphorous group, the
mustards, and the psychomimetics (e.g. LSD).

if time permits I should be glad to send you the draft WHO report for
any comments you would care to make before our meeting here on 19 and 20 May.

The WHO report could have a very great influence towards outlawing
biological warfare and in bringing the entire problem of CBW on a par with
control efforts on nuclear weapons - a not insignificant step. ‘

Your help would be greatly appreciated, and surely worthwhile.

Sincerely yours,
Martin Kaplan

P.S. I am sending you under separate cover some material on chemical agents
prepared by Perry Robinson, a staff member of SIPRI, who is one of our
advisers in the preparation of the WHO report. This material should be
treated as confidential.

Dr Joshua Lederberg

Professor of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford University Medical Center
stanford

California 94305

USA

ENCL: 1