Tobacco Documents Online

EDWIN J. JACOB FRANK H. H EE)ING~:'R TIMOTHY M. FINNEGAN LAW O F" F'I C Ir S ,JAC:OEI Ex .MF'D[NGE:R~ 1270 AVENUE OF THE_ AMERICAS ROCKEFELLEI~ C.E NT EI~ NEW YORK,,N. Y. 10020 |212], 765-4100 CABLE ADDRESS: TELEX NO. February 14, 1980 Memorandum for Messrs. Ahrensfeld Crohn, Greer Henson Pepples Stevens \/V/ , . Re: Dr. Carl Becker and: "Tobacco G:lycoprotein" As you know, during the last several years, Dr. Carl Becker has been publish,ing articles in the scientific literature claiming that he has identified a glycoprotein in tobacco leaf, smoke an,d condensate. H~e further claim,s that this so-called tobacco, glycoprotein ("T'GP") is respon- sible for numerous conditions and diseases (in both. smokers and nonsmokers), includ;in,g allergy, cardlio.vascu.lar disease and sudden death. Dr. Becker believes that TGP causes car- diovascular disease and perhaps sudden death, by affecting the clotting system. In light of these claims, we asked Dr. Russell- Stedman to examine Dr. Becker's reported procedures for isolating TGP from tobacco leaf, smoke and con,densate and; to obtain some of this material for fu.rther testing. This: work, which Dr. Stedman. performed at the Franklin Institute, demonstrated that Dr. Becker's so-called TGP included a-sub- s.tantial artifact. In. additional work at the Institute, Dr. Stedman did a preliminary characterization of the a:rti- fact (probably a polyacrylate) and isolatedi an am,ount of artifact sufficient for biological testilng by Dr. John Sal- vaggio in New Orlea.ns and Dr. Rodger B~ck in Bakersfield, California. I understand that D.r. Salvaggio currently has tests underway in his laboratory to determine the allergen- icity of the artifact.

Enclosed you will find copy of Dr. Bick's let- ter to me of January 29, 1980,, together with. report on his studies of the TGP artifact. In essence, he concludes that the artifact produces the same biological activity as that ascribed by Becket to: TGP and that Becker "erroneously" interpreted this biological activity as activating the clotting system. Dr. Stedman has. reviewed this report and is eager tocollaborate with Dr. Bick on a joint publica- tion, as well as additional research ~f necessary. In his view, Dr. Bick's work seriously impairs, if not destroys, Dr. Becker's theories about TGP causing cardiovascular dis- ease and sudde~ death. As you will note from the ~:nclosure, the assays wh.~ch Dr. Biek performed, as well ~s the time he spent on this project, resulted in a charge <~i $9,718.83. I wou]di appreciate your approval to pay Dr. Bick this amount irom Special Account #4 as a consu.~tant on this project. have discussed; this matter with Bill Shinn who agrees that it should be handled in this manner. ~f you have any questions concerning this matter, please give me a call. Sincerely, Timothy M. F~in.negan }~S. Janet C. Brown William W. Shinn, Esq.