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DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS
The Josiah Willard Gibbs Research Laboratories

MAILING ADDRESS: Box 2166 Yale Station
August 7, 1967

Dr. H. Houston Merritt, Dean
College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University

New York, New York

Dear Dr. Merritt:

In our telephone conversation of a few weeks ago, shortly after
Columbia University announced its sponsorship of the Strickmann
cigarette filter, I told you of my concern about this issue. Let me
restate the reasons:

1. There is no available evidence to support the claim that the
filter may reduce the health hazards associated with smoking.

2. The backing of Columbia University will greatly facilitate public
acceptance of the filter and, concomittantly, will seriously hamper the
efforts of organizations such as the American Cancer Society and United
States Public Health Service to discourage people from smoking.

3. Columbia University enjoys a well earned reputation as an out-
standing center for research and teaching, and therefore has a special
obligation to respect the academic traditions of objective scholarship
and enlightened concern for human welfare. I believe that Columbia has
capitalized on its reputation, at the expense of these traditions, to
take advantage of an opportunity to acquire money. The fact that this
money will be used for good purposes does not justify such means.

Since our conversation there has been no indication that Columbia
intends to reverse or modify its position, despite adverse reactions of
the press and, I presume, of your faculty as well. Therefore, as a
form of protest, I must regretfully withdraw as a participant in the
Medical School Bicentennial Celebration scheduled for October. [I am
aware of the undesired harmful effects that this kind of action may
have on the admirable efforts of the Medical School to maintain and
expand its functions; I wish it could be avoided.

Sincerely,
Professor of Molecular Biophysics

(cc: see attached list)