Dr, Lederberg

CABLE ADDRESS: NARECO

2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE
WASHINGTON. D. c.

WASHINGTON 28, D. Cc.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SPACE SCIENCE BOARD
February 6, 1959

Dr. Peter Alexander

Chester Beatty Research Institute
Royal Cancer Hospital

Fulham Road

Leadon 8.W. 3, England Private
Dear Dr. Alexander:

1 am writing in response to your letter of January 23, 1959, to
Mx. R. G. Peavey, Uafortunately, Dr. Lederberg will be unable to attend
the CETEX meeting in the Hague. However, in working with this Board,
he has agreed to hold a macting on the subject of contamination soon in
order to provide the Beard with some views which might be available in
time for CETEX consideration,

On the other hand, ome could take a rigorous position on contamination
risking serious inhibition of spece research, It ie quite possible th.
as ces ain f quite possible that

We are beginning to feal that some intermediate position may be
desirable--a positive appreach stressing wast cau aad sheuld be done
a ia such Sequence bat the ett ely sayerteet ae “

£ ecte of ear
ment na “ ly experiments upon leter

Since the Beard's views ave etill in flux and premature dissenina-
tion of these cursory remarks would be undesirable, I have addressed you
privately, chiefly in the hope that we might elicit your own views and
suggest our desire te cooperate with you end your colleagues.

Sincerely yours,

Hugh Odishew
Eneoutive Directer

cc: Dr. Joshua Lederberg