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C00002 00002	ames[w88,jmc]		Nomination of Bruce Ames for Japan prize
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ames[w88,jmc]		Nomination of Bruce Ames for Japan prize

nomination due April 30, 1988 for prize award in April 1989
see chron Jan 1988

Bruce Ames's work has decisive importance in identifying natural
levels of carcinogens and poisons in the human and animal
environment.  This provides a scientific basis for comparing
artificial contamination levels with those arising from
natural sources.  This in turn is essential for focussing
efforts to reduce contamination on those problems for which
reducing certain substances in the environment
makes a significant contribution to human welfare.
Ames's work, as it becomes better known and understood, should
put environmental improvement on a scientific basis and
reduce the level of accusation and conflict.

His earlier work in developing the Ames test that uses the mutagenicity of
a substance in bacteria as an indication of its potential for causing
cancer was an important contribution toward putting that field on an
objective basis.  However, most decisive was his 1983 Science article on
the natural carcinogens and poisons in the environment that are consequent
to the bacteriological warfare between plants on the one hand and insects
and bacteria on the other.