NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS
1512 H STREET NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

 

TeLerrone; Lisenty 5-8700

JANES H, DOOLITTLE, Se. D., CHAIRIAN February 4, 1958
LEONARD CARMICHAEL, Px. D., Vice CHAIRMAN
ALLEN V. ASTIN, Px. D. CHARLES J. MCCARTHY. S. B. LANGLEY AERCRAUTICAL LADORATORT
PRESTON R. BASSETT. M. A. LT. GEN. DONALD L. PUTT. U.S. ALF. LANGLEY FiELD, VA.
DETLEV W, BRONK, Pit. D. JAMES T, PYLE, A.B.
FREDERICK C, CRAWFORD, Se. D. FRANCIS W. REICHELDERFER, $c. D. AMES AERONAUTICAL LABORATORY
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21000 BROOKPARK ROAD, CLEVELAND 11, Ose

Professor Joshua Lederberg
Chairman, Dept. of Medical Genetics
Genetics Building

The University of Wisconsin

Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Professor Lederberg,

I have read with interest your letter of January 28th and
its accompanying memorandum on Cosmic Microbiology. With
respect to the biological aspects of space research, I believe
that your statement that only those aspects pertaining to human
survival in space travel have been considered, There has been
some discussion in the Council of the Academy of a suitable
advisory committee structure for the scientific aspects of space
research and I will bring your letter to the attention of the Council.

With respect to the organization of space research, particu-
larly the non-military aspects, no conclusive statements can be
made at this time. It remains for the administration to determine
its own position and to make recommendations to the Congress.
Congress already has many proposals from other sources, What
the outcome will be, no one knows at present.

I enclose a copy of my luncheon talk at the meeting of the
Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences in New York on January 27th.
This describes an expression of views by the Executive Committee
of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics on the organi-
zational question.

The notices for the annual meeting of the Academy to be
held in Washington, April 28-30, will go out shortly.

Sincerely yours,

Az Zz. Ont
Hugh L.. Dryden,
Director

Enclosure
Medical Genetics