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POST OFFICE BOX Xx
OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE 37830

Office of the Director May 3, 19°72

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Stanford Medical Center
Stanford University

300 Pasteur Drive

Palo Alto, California 94304

Dear Josh:

You will recall that over the past several years you and Stan Rogers

of our Biology Division have corresponded regarding the possib

of viruses in genetic engineering experiments. I am sure you are aware

of the most recent experiments on three children in Germany who are suf-

fering from genetically-induced elevated arginine levels in which Stan's

Shope papilloma virus system has been used in attempted gene therapy.

The latest information we have, although fragmentary, indicates some

degree of success in reducing the arginine levels in the blood of the

youngest of the affected children. A copy of the letter indicating q
this is attached,

Our problem is the following. We will no longer be able to support
Rogers under any of our current contracts after about August 1972.

He has been supported by an NCI contract in the Biology Division, but
NCI does not wish to continue this support, nor can the AEC stretch
its dollars to cover him. For some time Stan has had ambitious plans
to create a large group devoted to genetic engineering. In all frank-
ness, we do not share enthusiasm for his pian, primarily because both
the administration and the senior scientists of the Biology Division
question his ability to work with the people necessary to carry out
such a project. We do, however, feel that it would be unwise to cut
Rogers' funding at the time when he is probably further along in an
attempt at genetic engineering than anyone else, and we would very
much like to keep his current operation intact for a few more years.

omy Srovay

 

ae
Dr. Joshua Lederberg -2- May 3, 1972

Could we discuss the possibility that you would work with us in achiev-
ing some support for Rogers from NIGMS or another institute? Perhaps we
ean talk about this at the Annual Reviews meeting next week,

Sincerely yours,

rey
fpf

AMW: pl Alvin M. Weinberg

Attachment

ee: H. I. Adler
J. L. Liverman