Paul H. Patterson Anne P. and Benjamin F.

Biaggini Professor of Biological Sciences California Institute of Technology 216-76 Pasadena, CA 91125 T) 626-395-6826 Lab web site: http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~phplab/phplab.html Recent book: http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=12756 Book blog: http://infectiousbehavior.wordpress.com/ Another recent book: http://www.cup.columbia.edu/book/978-0-231-15124-5/the-origins-ofschizophrenia On Mar 27, 2013, at 7:27 PM, Brenna Armfield <brenna7@ymail.com> wrote:

Thank you very much for your help! 1. In your opinion, what was it about Dr. Patterson that motivated him to persevere over the years in his campaign against tetraethyl lead? -His knowledge that man was poisoning his own environment gave him righteous indignation.

2. How did oil companies, other scientists, researchers, etc attempt to stop and discredit Dr. Patterson's campaign? -They threatened to have his research funding taken away from him, and they had "experts" funded by industry testify against him in Congress.

3. What do you think bothered Dr. Patterson the most about the criticisms being waged against? -Scientists could be bought by industry funding to work in their service.

4. Bill Bryson's book A Short History of Nearly Everything implied that oil companies tried very hard to downplay the dangers of tetraethyl lead in gasoline. Was this consistent with your recollection of Dr. Patterson's experiences? -Yes; please see #1 above.

5. What do you think in Dr. Patterson's opinion was his greatest achievement?

-I don't know if it was his discovery of the age of the earth or his success in removing lead from so many products.

6. Did Dr. Patterson ever discuss with you his feelings on the conflict of interest that occurs when researchers are funded by the sellers of the product they are researching? -No

7. I understand that after Dr. Patterson spoke out in the Muskie Senate hearings, some members of the Board of Trustees at CalTech wanted him fired. What is your perspective about what happened at CalTech at that time? -I was not at Caltech at that time, but there was heavy industrial influence during that period.

8. Did your uncle and his work influence you to pursue a scientific career at CalTech? -I've wondered about that that, but I don't think so.

9. Considering your expertise on autism, do you think there is any correlation between the lead contamination in the environment and the rising cases of autism in the US? -Heavy metals have been suggested as a factor in autism but I'm not aware of any really compelling evidence for that so far.

You may have done so already, but you could also contact Clair's wife, my aunt, Lorna Patterson: lauriepatterson@charter.net Could you please send me a copy of your finished product? Good luck, PHP