STANFORD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
                             STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305 o (415) 321-1200

STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Departmmt of Gmctiw

                  July 20, 1979
*

Dear Salva-

  I think you night be interested to know that ACDA (the Arms
Control Agency) has asked me to go to Geneva as a consultant-com-
mentator to the Disarmament Conference on questions of biological
warfare.  They may well have focussed on me for such a task, in
part, because I have long adopted a position that distinguished be-
tween IN and CW on several grounds, 1) the gravity of the potential
hazard of further escalation,  subversion of molecular biology and
virology research, and threats to the whole world population from
the escape of infectious organisms from testing areas or theatres
of militkry use, and 2) the problem of defining a C\h' agent% stockpiles,
and closed (commercial-proprietary) work on toxic agents. For example,
is a tank car of chlorine or phosgene a CI stockpile?

   At any rate, the US position on these matters is very close to
my 'own,  in terms of the priority with which various steps should be
taken.  I perhaps differ with regard to the level of verlficution
that may be necessary before a universal disavowal of Ci'i could he
agreed upon;  but there are still serious technical problems in
defining just what each country has agreed not to 14x~ do in con-
sequence of a broad tzeaty agreement; and unlike L;;i`, the CX area
is one of existing military interest in many countries.

  Heden and others had mentioned to me, some time ago, the plans
for some discussion about these problems at the International Micro-
biology Congress in Mexico next month;  but I am quite unable to fit
this into my schedule. I did know that you would be there, and of
course that you have had a passionate interest in tilis subject, and
I thought it might be useful Q to pass on to you some of the detail
on the U.S. and other pdsitions that I have  learned as pre-briefing
for my appearance at Geneva (and which material is, of course, in the
public dornain.1  I will be on that trip from Augtist A-9, but will be
glad to heir from you otherwi.&e if you want to quiz me about anything.

  My own position on the matter is colored .by the very grave fears
that I have about virological warfare, and I feel it would be a great
mistake to impede controls in that area by also mixing in other politi-
cal and technical questions that inevitably attach to the Cii' issues.
be XX should of course'also deal with these as expeditiously as possible,
but I see no possibility of a comparably agreement on them; and the good
experience of convergence on iTiF, once achieved, might be a very great
help.

Sincerely,

LT.J.P.~iENNEBY,JR.LABORATORlES FOR MOLECULAR MEBICINE,DEDICATED TO RESEARCH IN MENTAL RETARDATION

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY               HEREDITY             .NEUROBIOLOGY               DEVELOPMENTAL MJ?.DICINE