OCT 24 1969
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

 

 

BERKELEY « DAVIS * INVINE * LOS ANGELES * RIVERSIDE * SAN DIEGO * SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA.» SANTA CRUZ

 

 

 

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS October 21, 1969

Dr. J. Lederberg
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

I was so dismayed and disturbed by your column in the S. F. Chronicle
of October 19 that, although I do not generally succumb to the messianic
impulse, I feel compelled to take issue with your statements therein. I
quote, “Radiation was the first environmental factor proven, in the late
H. J. Muller's experimental studies with fruit flies, to cause genetic
damage.... Nevertheless, there is no direct way to prove that any gene
mutations were ever produced in human germ cells by an exposure to radia-
tion,"

This is sophistry in its most malevolent form. It's akin to denying
the existence of radioactivity because you can't say which atom will decay
in the next few minutes.

Your comments on DNA repair and oxygen depletion imply that the cure
for radiation damage is strangulation or anoxia. Your statements about
chlorine will undoubtedly be used by fanatics to prove that city officials
are trying to poison us. Your statements on cyclamates were extremely
unfortunate in light of recent government action and to lump cyclamates
with LSD must reflect your personal prejudice.

I have only briefly indicated the points I disagree with but have chosen
to refute your article in detail in my molecular biology class. I will,
however, continue to explain to them the advantages of the replica plating
technique while also pointing out the insight and significance of the Luria-
Delbruck fluctuation test.

I do not yet believe that your intent in this and other columns is to
deliberately confound and mislead but that is the result. You are serving
causes and persons with whom I would hope you hold no brief. Times are

difficult enough without a person of your talent adding to the general
burden. Please desist.

Nery truly yours,

fork ot

Associate Professor of Genetics

 

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* Geter H/, 26) 'SS
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