JAN 4 7 {833

JAMES 0. EASTLAND, MISS., CHAIRMAN

JOHN L. MCCLELLAN, ARK. ROMAN L.. HRUSKA, NEBR.
SAM J. ERVIN, JR., N.C, HIRAM L,, FONG, HAWAIL
PHILIP A, HART, MICH. . HUGH SCOTT, PA.
EDWARD M. KENNEDY, MASS. STROM THURMOND, &.C.

BIRCH BAYH, IND, MARLOW W. COOK, KY, 2 °
QUENTIN N. BURDICK, N. DAK, CHARLES MCC. MATHIAS, JR., MD, ¢ { 2a Dt {, SD {
ROBERT C. BYRD, W. VA. EDWARD J. GURNEY, FLA, Witte Ales erate
JOHN V. TUNNEY, CALIF.
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
JOHN H. HOLLOMAN III
CHIEF COUNSEL AND STAFF DIRECTOR WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510

January ll, 1973

Professor Joshua Lederberg
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California 94305

Dear Professor Lederberg:

As you may know, I have been active in fundraising effoxsts
for Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease. Recently Mar-
gorie Guthrie, National Executive Secretary of the Committee to

. Combat Huntington's Disease, suggested that a more effective
method of combatting these diseases would be to authorize a
general research program for all genetic diseases.

Mrs. Guthrie mentioned you as a leader in the field of
genetics; therefore, I am writing to solicit your specific views,
as well as any background material available, on the need for a
coordinated approach to genetic diseases. Iam also interested
in your specific suggestions for needed legislation in this
area. For instance, if a general research program is advisable,
should it be run by the National Institute of Health? Secondly,
would federal research, or a grant program encouraging private
research be more effective?

Obviously, any legislation which I might introduce would
meet stiff opposition from the Administration in view of the
recent cutbacks in general research funds for health. However,
Iam still interested in encouraging Congressional debate on
such an important subject.

Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, please
do not hesitate to call or write my Legislative Assistant, Judy
Harris.

Most sincerely,

*

irch Bayh
United States nator