News of the Week bide and the related fact that Carbide financially controlled its Indian affiliate, it argued for trial in the U.S. The appeals court decision raises the question of how the Indian court in Bhopal will react to the appeals ruling. That shouldn't be too much of a problem, according to Carbide's lawyer, Bud G. Holman. Simply put, says Holman, "It will be up to the judge in Bhopal to decide whether to adhere to the American discovery processes or those in effect in India. That's all we ever wanted." D
amine systems—including monoamine levels, synthesis rates, and turnover; enzymes involved in synthesis; and electrical activity of the catecholamine and serotonin neurons. The paper urges study of specific alterations in monoamine receptor density and function from chronic cocaine use, and determination of the density and distribution of cocaine binding sites in various brain regions. Comparison of cocaine's neurochemical effects with those of other amine-uptake blocking agents and of amphetamines— and greater knowledge of its effects on neuropeptide-biogenic amine interactions in the brain—should aid understanding of cocaine's reward and addiction-inducing mechanisms. The paper also urges study of coAbuse of cocaine is a major U.S. caine's effects on neuroendocrine health problem. Millions of persons and endocrine function, about which regularly use the drug, an alkaloid data are scarce. Other drugs of abuse from the plant Erythroxylon coca, gen- alter such functioning—affecting erally by sniffing the hydrochlo- neuropeptide and steroid hormones, ride salt, with absorption through and feedback control mechanisms the nasal mucous membranes. Al- involving endogenous opioid systhough abuse of other drugs peaked tems. in 1979 and has declined slightly The conference's recommendations since, the cocaine problem continues have been presented to Donald I. to intensify. Concern is rising espe- MacDonald, director of the Alcocially over the much more potent hol, Drug Abuse & Mental Health effects obtained by the growing Administration, and to Charles R. fashion of smoking the alkaloid it- Schuster, director of the National self as "free-base" or "crack." Institute on Drug Abuse. A shorter However, much about cocaine re- version of the document is going to D mains uncertain or controversial. In all members of Congress. an attempt to spur efforts by scientists and policy makers to deal with the problem, leading U.S. experts on cocaine addiction gathered last week in Rockville, Md., for a conference cosponsored by the American Society for Pharmacology & Ex- Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinperimental Therapeutics and the berger's latest annual report to ConCommittee on Problems of Drug De- gress, released last week, spells out pendence. The experts drew up an in some detail Administration ar18-page consensus paper pinpoint- guments supporting the continuaing priorities for future research and tion by the U.S. of underground summarizing current knowledge in nuclear testing, the only kind alsuch areas as epidemiology; neuro- lowed under current treaty conchemistry; electrophysiology; behav- straints. ioral pharmacology; neuroendocrine, The report complains that underperinatal, cardiovascular, and other ground testing by the Defense Nuadverse effects; treatment; and clear Agency has already been set prevention. back by budget restraints imposed by In the area of neurochemistry, the Congress. It states, "If these reducpaper cites the need for clearer un- tions continue, vital test and develderstanding of acute and chronic opment programs will be curtailed effects of cocaine on the nervous or canceled, affecting the entire range system, particularly on brain mono- of nuclear deterrence programs."
Priorities pinpointed for cocaine research
Need for continued nuclear tests defended
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January 19, 1987 C&EN
The arguments for and against a comprehensive test ban treaty that would bar all nuclear testing was the subject of a presidential plenary session at the American Chemical Society's national meeting in the fall of 1985. The topic has had a high public profile since the Soviet Union unilaterally stopped such testing in August of 1985 and called upon the U.S. to do so. The Soviets have extended their moratorium several times. But they now indicate they will resume testing if the U.S. continues to test in 1987. The Administration views a comprehensive test ban treaty as a longterm policy goal that can be reached only in stages. The U.S. has invited the Soviets to send experts to observe and measure a U.S. test. And the President has asked Congress to consider ratification of a 1974 treaty that limits underground tests to an explosive force equivalent to 150 kilotons of TNT. Both sides claim to have complied. Advocacy for a comprehensive test ban has been strong in this country. Last year Congress came close to putting some constraints on testing by the U.S. Proponents of such a ban claim that it would be an important step toward mutual nuclear arms reductions by eventually p r e v e n t i n g the development of new weapons. They also claim that adequate reliability of existing systems can be maintained without nuclear testing. The new report indicates that the Defense Nuclear Agency has recently conducted three underground tests. These provided data relative to the agency's primary function of examining the effects of nuclear blasts. They also validated new technology for conducting lower-cost tests and helped validate testing of new strategic nuclear weapons systems for the Navy and Air Force. The Department of Energy has responsibility for underground tests to assure reliability of nuclear warheads already in service and to develop new ones. The new report reiterates that nuclear testing is indispensable to the goal of enhancing "nuclear deterrence by improving the military effectiveness, safety, security, and liability of our nuclear weapons in all environments." D
