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‘February 2, 1970

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J. LEDERBERG 94304
Dear Josh,

Thanks for your quick reply to my paper on toxins. You have focused
on the question of definitions. This is a mistake, The important points
are: 1) We do not need toxin weapons, 2) If they can be success-
fully developed, they could represent a serious annoyance to us in the
hands of non-nuclear nations. 3) If we apply the same policy to
toxins as we do to chemical warfare generally, the President's initiative
will lose force and effectiveness, This is because of the overlap in
technology and the fact that people consider botulism and tetanus to be
diseases no matter what definition technicians may agree upon.

I think the ideal thing for the President to say would be "I have already
declared that the United States shall renounce the use of all methods

of biological warfare. We have been asked whether this policy applies

to toxins. Toxins are the poisonous but non-living products of living
organisms. In several ways they occupy a place between chemical and
biological warfare, However, in reaching our policy we have not been
concerned with narrow technical definitions. Rather, we have sought to
close the door as firmly as possible against the use of disease and the
technology of disease as methods of warfare, Accordingly, I announce
today that we extend our policy of renouncing the use of biological
methods of warfare to include toxins. This step is in the best interests
of the United States. Beyond that, it is in the best interests of all
mankind. I have therefore directed that the U.S. shall] renounce the use
of all methods of biological warfare and of toxins as weapons of war. The
U.S. will confine its biological research and also its research on toxins to
defensive measures, "

With best regards,
As ever, --

nna