APR i 1 19/4
Bator . 40079 4

NAMRU-2/ROB:sw
4.98.62
8 April 1974

Professor Joshua Lederberg

Department of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Professor Lederberg:

I received your note of 15 March and appreciate very much
your kind and accurate assessment of the role and traditions
of the Naval Medical Corps. The considerable support in the
past by Bu Med of a variety of research projects which were
primarily humanitarian or of a basic science nature rather
than one strictly relevant to military medicine certainly
was in the best tradition of the Naval Medical Corps. As
you pointed out, anyone familiar with the true situation
would never come up with an idea such as that propounded

by Hammerschlag.

Unfortunately, however, those proud traditions which supported
or, at least allowed, basic research on a variety of
interesting problems around the world are rapidly becoming
inoperative under the current pressure of .relevance and a
policy of stricter mission orientation in the interest of
efficiency and economy. In fact during the past 5 years
there has been a complete change in the philosophy of support
for scientific research in the Naval Medical Research
laboratories, In my own case since almost nothing I am doing,
except our laboratory support work for other departments, has
had any direct military relevance, I am slowly losing the
ability to continue the type of work in which I am interested.
And that, in addition to the obvious professional and ethical

aspects, makes the issues raised by Hammerschlag particularly
galling to me.

What little I have accomplished in studying Asian ethnic
groups was done strictly because of my own interest and the

See hee i per te
desire to take advantage of a truly unique opportunity and
began in a period of relaxed attitudes toward basic research.
In the past five years it has become harder and harder to
continue that work and instead of being supported by any
government organization, either for good, or for ulterior
reasons as suggested by Hammerschlag, I have met either
indifference or open opposition.

There have been only two Commanding Officers at NAMRU-2 during
the past 16 years and both of them have given me complete
support within the contraints placed on them by Bu Med and,
particularly, by an always limited budget. And there always
have been intelligent, sympathetic individuals in the Research
Division at Bu Med where broad policies for our research are
formulated. But they have become increasingly immobilized by
official policy from above and must respond to that policy.

I have received another letter from Hammerschlag in response
to my detailed answer to his earlier inquiry. I enclose copies
of the relevant correspondence for your information. I wonder
if he has written to you again to point out that he may be
reconsidering his previous position, if indeed he is. I would
guess not. And I wonder how many other Senior Scientists he
may have written to with his spurious inferences without a
subsequent clarifying letter. In the local Taipei English
language newspaper a few days ago there was a story (copy
enclosed) concerning a paper and press conference by
Hammerschlag at the spring ACS meeting. I sincerely hope this
type of publicity will not prove to be embarrassing or
damaging to the delicate relationship we have with our Chinese.
medical colleagues and with our colleagues throughout
Southeast Asia.

I enclose the reprints you requested. The results we have
obtained in study of toxins from sea snake venoms coupled with
those reported from other laboratories in U.S. and Scandinavia
are not only extremely interesting but also hold promise for
some very practical applications. It appears more and more that
all important toxins in venoms from several of the most
abundant sea snakes scattered throughout Pacific and Indian
Oceans are nearly identical in structure. Therefore antivenin
produced using one such purified toxin should be effective
against most of the others. This should make possible an
effective protection of the high risk individuals in the
fishing fleets who encounter the sea snakes caught in fishing
nets. Unfortunately, Bu Med quite correctly decided that the
study of sea snake venoms has little or no military relevance.
Consequently I currently am seeking to get the necessary
group of Chinese organizations here in Taiwan together to
pursue the problem including possible immunization of high
risk individuals and eventually the production of human
antivenin.

The main part of the maternal nutrition study which we did in
collaboration with Professor Chow was completed at about the
time of his death. We are getting all data verified and on
to punch cards and will begin data analysis soon. We already
know that there was a definite influence on birth weights of
male infants - but not female - produced by maternal dietary
supplementation. Whether this will be reflected in growth
rates, nitrogen balance, behavior, disease resistence, and
performance in school, for example, remains to be seen. Active
support for this project by the Navy will end 30 June but I'm
confident that between those interested at Johns Hopkins and
myself the data analysis and reports for publication will be
completed. When these are published I will send you reprints
if you are interested.

I must apologize for this lengthy letter. My warmest regards.

Sincerely yours,

RG bach

Copy: Dr. R. H. Watten, NAMRU-2