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In March 1967, a study published in the prestigious scientific journal Science described a marked increase in chromosomal abnormalities in human white blood cells that had been treated with LSD in vitro (that is, the cells were outside the body at the time). 256 Shortly after, three other studies were reported in which chromosomal abnormalities in the white blood cells of LSD abusers were higher than those of people who did not use drugs, whereas three additional studies reported no chromosomal effect at all. By the end of that year, a second study was published by the people whose report had started the controversy in the first place. They wrote that eighteen LSD abusers had two to four times the number of chromosomal abnormalities in their white blood cells, when compared with fourteen control subjects. Interestingly, the subjects in this study were not exactly model citizens. Every one of them had taken either amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, hallucinogens, opioids, or antipsychotic medication, and some had abused more than one of these substances. The picture was confused, to say the least. Not only were many of these studies never replicated, but many were methodologically flawed in the first place. Most important, when studies actually looked at the chromosomes of reproductive cells themselves for signs of breakage from exposure to LSD, the results were either ambiguous or entirely negative. By 1971, after nearly a hundred studies had been carried out, the conclusion was that LSD did not cause chromosomal damage in human beings at normal doses and that there was no evidence of a high rate of birth defects in the children of LSD users. 257 Yet, in the highly politicized climate of the late 1960s, the media tended to emphasize the negative findings without subjecting their validity or relevance to any scrutiny. The reputation of LSD causing genetic (mutation-generating) damage still persists in the public mind despite the lack of scientific evidence. This is not to say. however, that there is no basis for exercising some degree of caution. Women should avoid LSD, as well as other psychoactive and many nonpsychoactive drugs, during pregnancy, especially in the first three months.258

In March 1967, a study published in the prestigious scientific journal Science described a marked increase in chromosomal abnormalities in human white blood cells that had been treated with LSD in vitro (that is, the cells were outside the body at the time). 256 Shortly after, three other studies were reported in which chromosomal abnormalities in the white blood cells of LSD abusers were higher than those of people who did not use drugs, whereas three additional studies reported no chromosomal effect at all. By the end of that year, a second study was published by the people whose report had started the controversy in the first place. They wrote that eighteen LSD abusers had two to four times the number of chromosomal abnormalities in their white blood cells, when compared with fourteen control subjects. Interestingly, the subjects in this study were not exactly model citizens. Every one of them had taken either amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, hallucinogens, opioids, or antipsychotic medication, and some had abused more than one of these substances. The picture was confused, to say the least. Not only were many of these studies never replicated, but many were methodologically flawed in the first place. Most important, when studies actually looked at the chromosomes of reproductive cells themselves for signs of breakage from exposure to LSD, the results were either ambiguous or entirely negative. By 1971, after nearly a hundred studies had been carried out, the conclusion was that LSD did not cause chromosomal damage in human beings at normal doses and that there was no evidence of a high rate of birth defects in the children of LSD users. 257 Yet, in the highly politicized climate of the late 1960s, the media tended to emphasize the negative findings without subjecting their validity or relevance to any scrutiny. The reputation of LSD causing genetic (mutation-generating) damage still persists in the public mind despite the lack of scientific evidence. This is not to say. however, that there is no basis for exercising some degree of caution. Women should avoid LSD, as well as other psychoactive and many nonpsychoactive drugs, during pregnancy, especially in the first three months.258

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
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Will LSD Damage Your Chromosomes?

 

In March 1967, a study published in the prestigious scientific journal Science described a marked increase in chromosomal abnormalities in human white blood cells that had been treated with LSD in vitro (that is, the cells were outside the body at the time). 256 Shortly after, three other studies were reported in which chromosomal abnormalities in the white blood cells of LSD abusers were higher than those of people who did not use drugs, whereas three additional studies reported no chromosomal effect at all. By the end of that year, a second study was published by the people whose report had started the controversy in the first place. They wrote that eighteen LSD abusers had two to four times the number of chromosomal abnormalities in their white blood cells, when compared with fourteen control subjects. Interestingly, the subjects in this study were not exactly model citizens. Every one of them had taken either amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, hallucinogens, opioids, or antipsychotic medication, and some had abused more than one of these substances. The picture was confused, to say the least. Not only were many of these studies never replicated, but many were methodologically flawed in the first place. Most important, when studies actually looked at the chromosomes of reproductive cells themselves for signs of breakage from exposure to LSD, the results were either ambiguous or entirely negative. By 1971, after nearly a hundred studies had been carried out, the conclusion was that LSD did not cause chromosomal damage in human beings at normal doses and that there was no evidence of a high rate of birth defects in the children of LSD users. 257 Yet, in the highly politicized climate of the late 1960s, the media tended to emphasize the negative findings without subjecting their validity or relevance to any scrutiny. The reputation of LSD causing genetic (mutation-generating) damage still persists in the public mind despite the lack of scientific evidence. This is not to say. however, that there is no basis for exercising some degree of caution. Women should avoid LSD, as well as other psychoactive and many nonpsychoactive drugs, during pregnancy, especially in the first three months.258
Transcribed Image Text:In March 1967, a study published in the prestigious scientific journal Science described a marked increase in chromosomal abnormalities in human white blood cells that had been treated with LSD in vitro (that is, the cells were outside the body at the time). 256 Shortly after, three other studies were reported in which chromosomal abnormalities in the white blood cells of LSD abusers were higher than those of people who did not use drugs, whereas three additional studies reported no chromosomal effect at all. By the end of that year, a second study was published by the people whose report had started the controversy in the first place. They wrote that eighteen LSD abusers had two to four times the number of chromosomal abnormalities in their white blood cells, when compared with fourteen control subjects. Interestingly, the subjects in this study were not exactly model citizens. Every one of them had taken either amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, hallucinogens, opioids, or antipsychotic medication, and some had abused more than one of these substances. The picture was confused, to say the least. Not only were many of these studies never replicated, but many were methodologically flawed in the first place. Most important, when studies actually looked at the chromosomes of reproductive cells themselves for signs of breakage from exposure to LSD, the results were either ambiguous or entirely negative. By 1971, after nearly a hundred studies had been carried out, the conclusion was that LSD did not cause chromosomal damage in human beings at normal doses and that there was no evidence of a high rate of birth defects in the children of LSD users. 257 Yet, in the highly politicized climate of the late 1960s, the media tended to emphasize the negative findings without subjecting their validity or relevance to any scrutiny. The reputation of LSD causing genetic (mutation-generating) damage still persists in the public mind despite the lack of scientific evidence. This is not to say. however, that there is no basis for exercising some degree of caution. Women should avoid LSD, as well as other psychoactive and many nonpsychoactive drugs, during pregnancy, especially in the first three months.258
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