SMI, WU

ee
STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
STANFORD MEDICAL CENTER
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS Area Code 415
Professor Joshua Lederberg JUL 9 9 1969 Pen

Duc:

Dear Congresswoman Mink:

Thank you for your letters of July 22-24 on the denaturation
of solvents, in connection with H.R, 12751.

The hearings on your bill should, plainly, be the proper place
to bring up technicalities. I was however very much struck by the
news that allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil) was being used as a de-
naturant, and even more by the information that this material was
on FDA's approved list.

 

The reason for my reaction is that this compound was the first
chemical to be reported to cause genetic mutations -- I enclose the
scientific report on this by Auerbach and Robson which was publlished
in 1944,

I would not proceed to ana@tomatic condemnation of mustard oil:
its natural occurrence is not, however, a very persuasive argument.

I am concerned that in our efforts to solve one problem, we
merely produve another one unless we proceed cautiously and responsively
to the need for thorough investégation.

     
 

Yours truly,
AIT Reem. Lon, Ae
Joshua Lederberg

CC: Dr. Marvin Legator, FDA

Mr. Stanley H. Lowell, Counsel
Hobby Industry Assoc. of America

Dr. Samuel Epstein (Environmental Mugagen Society)