2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE CABLE ADDRESS: NARECO
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. WASHINGTON, D. C.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SPACE SCIENCE BOARD

March 21, 1962

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
School of Medicine
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

Dear Joshua:

In view of the rapidly developing program in the life sciences
at NASA (for example the recent appointment of a Director for Bio-
sciences in the Office of Space Sciences and the prospects for a
new biology office in the Office of Advanced Research and Technology),
it appears desirable for the Space Science Board to establish a
permanent Life Sciences Coordinating Group as a replacement for the
ad hoc coordinating committee appointed in my letter to Dr. Pittendrigh
on January 4, 1962.

This group, comprising the chairmen of the biology committees
pilus Dr. Hartline as consultant to the Board, would provide a focus for
coordinating activities of the SSB life sciences committees and would be
available to provide advice on the life sciences to NASA upon request:
both the NASA Office of Space Sciences and the NASA Office of Advanced
Research and Technology have specifically asked for Board assistance
on their problems in biology. The committee will absorb all functions
of the ad hoc life sciences coordinating committee; in particular, I
expect that it will assume responsibility for completing at the earliest
possible time the pending SSB position paper on bioastronautics.

It is also particularly timely that such a committee be con-
stituted immediately and assume responsibility to assist Dr. Van Allen
in planning for biological matters to be considered during the Space
Science Summer Study.

I am therefore appointing the SSB Life Sciences Coordinating Group
and wish to ask you to accept appointment to membership with Dr. Pittendrigh
as Chairman, I know that you will give Colin your full support.

Sincerely yours,

 

cc: C. S. Pittendrigh