By Phil Riske
Managing Editor | Rose Law Group Reporter
STATE CAPITOL — Laetrile is the trade name for a substance chemically related to amygdalin tried as an anti-cancer agent. Since the 1950s, scientists have tested substances called Laetrile in more than 20 animal tumor models, as well as in humans and found no benefit either alone or together with other substances. Scientist also said the arsenic-like drug could be harmful.
In the 1970s, the substance, which is made from apricot pits, made a political resurgence with the news movie superstar Steve McQueen had gone to Mexico for treatment of his cancer with Laetril. He died four months later.
In the same decade, the Arizona Legislature approved the manufacture and use of Laetrile, which remains on the books today.
Banning Laetrile in Arizona is the purpose of a bill HB 2527 sponsored by Rep. John Kavanagh R-Fountain Hills. He told the House Health Committee this month the Arizona law represented “politics over science. During a news conference on his bill to place the repeal of medical marijuana back on ballot, Kavanagh said, “We don’t let people take snake oil.”
Howie Fischer of Capitol Media Services called out, “Oh, yes you do, citing the Laetrile statute.
At about the same time, the state Department of Health discovered the Laetrile law while preparing for national certification.
“Let’s remove this embarrassment from our books . . .,” Kavanagh told the Health Committee, which sent the measure to the floor (6-0), where it’s expected to pass and moved to the Senate.
(Editor’s note) A fraternity brother of mine in 1960 won an Oxford Scholarship. He had just been diagnosed with cancer. He nevertheless, enrolled at Oxford and began treatment with Laetrile.
My friend completed his four-year studies and was in reasonable health.
Gary Cathcart returned to Wyoming, where he could not obtain Laetrile, and died a short time later.
