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~~~ 300HOMER AVENUE, PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94301 © (415) 321-4121

3 March 1976

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
School of Medicine

Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Doctor Lederberg:

It was really a great pleasure to have the conversation we had and I
hope to continue it with you some time. Your great work in genetics
actually should be projected into sociology. The actual practice of
selective birth control I know is a long way off, but I do believe we
know enough about it now to make gestures in that direction.

I will give you my ideas about sick societies later on - and just the
opposite, of very healthy societies. The most important thing in a
society is that they get inspired with some spirit. The spirit of

the Renaissance was one. The spirit of the love of liberty that pro-
duced such a tremendous group of men in the foundation of our country
was another. The period of the Reformation was another. The zeal of
the Islamites when they swept across Africa into Europe was another
such thing. These great national psychological states I think can be
deliberately fostered and not be dependent entirely upon chance. This
is something I would like to discuss with yau some more. .

I wonder if some time you would be willing to come out and have a quiet
little lunch with me and discuss some of these things.

My best to you.

Sincerely,

Russel V. Lee, M.D.
RVL/ rg ae

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