Arthur W. GalstonBorn 21 Apr 1920; died 15 Jun 2008 at age 88. Arthur William Galston was an American biologist, plant physiologist and bioethicist whose work with herbicides led to the development by others of Agent Orange. It was extensively used by the American military as a defoliant during the Vietnam war. The purpose was to expose Viet Cong positions and movement when viewed from the air. Galston's warnings had been ignored about the high toxicity of the chemical to both animal and human life, and also destructiveness to the land and waterways. The substance had potential persistence for an unknown time, perhaps decades. When toxicological studies determined that compounds in Agent Orange caused birth defects in laboratory rats, Galston lobbied with other scientists, and eventually President Nixon ordered an immediate halt to spraying. Galston continued to strongly promote bioethics.« |
