When asked if he had any misgivings about the work he did, Baldwin explained "I grew up first in medical bacteriology, and you spend your time trying to kill microorganisms to prevent them from causing disease. Now, to turn around and think of it as I had to was horrifying to some extent. Yes, no question about it." Still he claimed it took him only 24 hours to make that shift. In the context of a war in which the outcome was uncertain, he felt that everyone was obligated to contribute his part.