June 7, 1965

Dr. Orr E. Reynolds, Director

Bioscience Programs

Office of Space Sciences and Applications
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington 25, D. C.

Dear Orr:

I am enclosing a copy of the proposal designated as "A Proposal for the

Btudy of Computer Control of External Devices and an Automated Biological
Laboratory” that we are now sending through formal University channels for
approval. For the most part I think it speaks for itself. However, I think

I should stress that it falls somewhat short of the full-blown phase 0 effort
that is mentioned in smseoff my earlier memoranda. The main discrepancy is
that under this proposal we still do not take responsibility for comprehensive
systems studies that will be needed before very long to tie together a workable
package. As you know, we are still looking for constructive ways to get on
with our planning with respect to this level of operation so that we can submit
more formal proposals for it. Meantime, the work outlined in the present pro-
posal will go very far indeed to developing and demonstrating many of the
necessary components of such a system.

Cordially,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics