WESTEX
5-1 January 26, 1960
Memo: To Westex
From: J. Lederberg
1. Report on COSPAR Symposium at Nice.
The biological interest of this meeting was very limited but it was
an excellent and necessary forum for the presentation of a constructive

program in exobiology. The presentations relating to biology included
the following:

5.3 H.C. Urey Lines of evidence regarding the composition of
the moon.
5.4 J. Lederberg Exobiology -~- A new experimental science.
5.6 A. Doll fus Résultats d'observations indiquant la vie
, sur la planete Mars.
5.5 Rk. W. Davies An Infra-red Mars probe experiment for
M. Gumpel gathering evidence of extra-terrestrial life.
Read by 5.7 M. Calvin Extra-terrestrial life: some organic constituents
QO.H. Schmitt S. K. Vaughn of meteorites and their significance for possible
extra-terrestrial biological evolution.
5.8 0. H. Schmitt Experimental problems in space biology.

Dolifus reviewed his studies of the changes of weer markings
and the polarization evidence for seasonal changes in surface granularity.
Calvin's paper reported on the detection of heterocyclic compounds of
aromatic character -- some of the materials had spectra similar to cytosine
but cannot yet be conclusively identified. Urey remarked that the main
evidence on lunar composition is its low density. This might be attributed
to a deficlency of tron or to substantial amounts of water or carbon.

There was some corridor discussion of contamination hazards. As far
as | could judge, there was a unanimous feeling that stringent measures
were necessary and should be adopted.

The Russian delegates (A. A. Blaganravov and three others) were
quite cordial but had no knowledge of technical details of biological
experiments. Efforts are continuing to arrange an international, Informal
conference, perhaps in London, to review biological programs.

The enclosed copy of my paper is a draft version composed in some
haste. It will be revised for publication in the Proceedings. Newspaper
reports, including purported quotations, that deviate from this text
are tnventive.

2. The Space Science Board will be meeting in Washington, March 12.
It has been suggested that Committee I! meet to discuss general aspects of
space biology; areas other than exobiology have been rather neglected
so far. Atl members of Westex are invited to attend this meeting at
Stanford on February 29, and you will be most welcome. However, | have
hesitated to call a formal meeting of Westex unless more urgent business
in exobiology presents itself than is now apparent. Please let me know
if you will be available for the committee meeting and particularly if
you have any matters to bring to the attention of either or both groups.
The membership of Committee 11 is: Hartline (Chairman), Stevens, Curtis,
Farr, Francis, Lederberg, MacNichol, Schmitt, Tatum, Derbyshire.