Description: (His Research Led to Development of ‘Agent Orange’ and its Ethical Objections to Use it)
Arthur W. Galston was a renowned American plant physiologist and bioethicist recognized for his pioneering work on plant hormones and phototropism. He made significant contributions by identifying riboflavin and other flavins as photoreceptor proteins involved in plant bending towards light, challenging established scientific beliefs. Galston's investigation into the defoliating properties of TIBA, a component of Agent Orange, led him to advocate strongly for bioethics. His ethical stance played a pivotal role in persuading President Nixon to discontinue the use of Agent Orange, demonstrating his dedication to ethical scientific practices.