Panelists Stress Dangers of CBR

Both the government and the public have failed to give adequate attention to the dangers of chemical, biological, and radiological warfare (CBR), a panel of four experts agreed last night at a forum presented by the Society for Social Responsibility in Science.

Two letters just received by S.S.R.S. from Presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy '40, regarding their policy on CBR revealed that both men are in agreement that research must continue in order to insure the security of the United States.

Kennedy emphasized that the seriousness of the matter made immediate disarmament even more desirable while Nixon stressed the need for further research in this field because the country cannot afford to neglect any areas "which might be exploited by a ruthless enemy."

Commenting on Nixon's letter, Salvador E. Luria, professor of Microbiology at M.I.T., asserted that development has nothing to do with defense, that a deadlier weapon or larger stockpile is no protection. He further deplored the policy of the present Administration, which has refused to reaffirm a resolution made by President Roosevelt in 1943 to the effect that the U.S. would not use gas or germ warfare unless it was first used by an enemy.

Members of the panel joined in urging immediate international agreement about disarmament, and the abolition of secrecy regarding CBR research. In addition to Luria, the panelists were Dr. J. Huston Westover, executive secretary of the Friends Medicals Society, Henry T. Yost, associate professor of Biology at Amherst College, and Lee R. Wilcox, member of the Applied Physics Department.