Dr. Koop: Video games
may generate violence ~

‘WASHINGTON — Surgeon General
C. Everett Koop said Wednesday he
was giving a “purely personal
judgment” when he made an “‘off-the-

cuff’ remark indicating video games

‘May incite children to violence.

Pan remarks to the University Py
tsburgh’s Western Psychia
‘stitute Tuesday night, Koop said
< like Pacman may be to blame

or inciting violence. ‘Everything is
“zap the enemy,’'’ Koop said.
« 's nothing constructive in the
game.” .-

“In a written statement Wednesday,
Koop said the comment did not rep-
resent official policy.

‘In replying to toll
speect on fesally Seinen owing 8
‘versity of Pittsburgh, I indicated that

‘some video games may tend toward offictal

“Thi is 3

any accumulated scientific evidence,
Nor does it represent the official view
of the Public Health Service.

““My off-the-cuff comment was not
pare of any prepared remarks. Noth-
ae as implying tha video,

d as t games

are per se violent in nature or harmful
to children.”

Jim Buchan, a spokesman for Koop,
declined to comment beyond the writ’.
ten statement.

Buchan said he did athens
Koop said in Pittsburgh an been
unable to get a transcript.

Koop was criticized for the remark

a trade group representing video
Eure and pinball ‘machine manufac.
curers. .