Memo from To:
JOSHUA LEDERBERG

Mr. Dobrovir

pec 3 9 1970
re: 2,4,5 T

Thank you for your letter. I had started to
draft a rather lengthy reply, but have not
had time to straighten out its tortuous logic.

I was very happy to get the material you sent
on 245T. Your question, how the courts can
handle scientific controversies, is deeply
provocative, and will long be with us, and in
my own mind.

The only constructive suggestion I can make is
to try to formulate an appropriate "due process"
-~ that is, that major decisions be made only
after a competent hearing.*The main element of
this is a clear exposure of the standards used
by the review body in Gm deciding upon the
public safety of a proposed action. In the
present case, the Secretary should be required
to state what he has found with respect to

the expected magnitude of any risks involved

in the use of 245T, together with the uncer-
tainties of that estimate. This would help to
factor the scientific controversy from the basic
issue of public policy.

I know Sam Epstein very well. We have had long
arguments about the practicality of a
"zero-hazard" philosophy.
*Needless to say, any judge must also be
disqualified if there is evident conflict of
interest.

Sincerely,

 

Department of Genetics
x LAL». { School of Medicine
{ J

Stanford University

f
4
— i : PROFESSOR JOSHUA LEDERBERG
it

 

 

Stanford, California 94305