Laetrile is a semi-synthetic form of amygdalin, which is extracted from the seeds of fruits such as apricots, peaches, and bitter almonds. It was first used in Russia in the early 19th century and gained popularity in the United States in the 1970s as an alternative cancer treatment. Proponents claim that laetrile can selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells untouched, an assertion that has been met with skepticism by the scientific community.
