DRAFT
July 26, 1964

INTRODUCTION
Notes by J. Lederberg

"The search for extra-terrestrial life" has perhaps the widest
base of appreciation of any space science program. As the explora-
tion of Mars, it is also the most ambitious. Paradoxically, the very
breadth of scientific interest here may blur its apparent support.
Other scientific projects tend to attract a limited circle of enthu-
siasts who become uniquely expert on their implementation and will
devote their full time energies to them. In exobiology, a much wider
range of scientific interests is necessarily represented. Many of
its proponents will share their preoccupations in exobiology with

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interests closer at hand in terrestrial science over the very long

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time involved in operational plans in space science. The interval
is, after all, a significant fraction of a scientific career. The
same scientists are also accutely aware of their responsibilities as
citizens to contribute to the best allocation’ of natural resources.
In these circumstances it is understandable that there hds been
considerable debate concerning the relative value of biological
exploration compared to other efforts that we might make as national
enterprises.

Most of this discussion, it should be stressed, centers on the
larger issue of the National Space program taken as a whole. It is
well recognized that scientific investigation has played a definite
but not the primary part among the motifs of the entire program.

There has been considerable criticism of the relative allocation of
July 26, 1964
Page 2

Our national effort to space, compared to education, natural resources,
domestic welfare, foreign aid or budgetary retrenchment. The partici-
pants in the present study represent a wide range of views on this
question. The most forceful criticism of investment in the exploration
of space is negative, fairly directed at our failures elsewhere, and
at the frustration of reasonable opportunities to make explicit choices
among well-planned alternatives. On the other hand, many participants
are highly enthusiastic, as are many other citizens, even about the
extra-scientific aspects of the national space program. A brief
consensus Of such a range of views is difficult, and we have provided
for any individual statements that might be volunteered for varying
points of view.

As a body we have not been charged with, nor do we attempt such
a broad over-view, We predicate our conclusions on the continued vigor
of a national space program. In that context we conclude that the
vigorous prosecution of exobiology must accompany the overall effort,
and at a pace consistent with it. Our charge is not to attempt to
justify entirely on scientific grounds the very large cost of
development of the Saturn booster systems. This is already firmly
committed. We have addressed the question whether the application
of such a system to exobiology can answer well-framed and important
scientific questions justifying a high priority within the space
program.

In this study, we have developed the theme that our aim in the

search for life is tantamount to the evolutionary history of a sister
Suly 26, 1964
Page 3

planet. We reassert* that this is the preeminent scientific
Opportunity of the exploration of space. The booster developments
have given us a realistic opportunity to answer some of the most
fundamental questions in the theory of life, for the understanding

of our own evolution, and to lay the essential scientific groundwork
for the future course of exploration. A balanced effort in our
national space program will only be effected if this search takes its

part in the total effort at a pace commensurate with it.

J. Lederberg

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~ ref. Iowa Study