August 3, 1966

Dr. Matt Meselson
Department of Biology
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Dear. Matt:

So Arthur has told you, I share your views gn the folly of our
policy on CBR weapons, and had already intended to speak out on it.

You may already know that I have started a weekly column (Sundays)
in. the Washington Post. I think I can be more effective in retaining an -
independent position by not signing public group petitions. However, I
would like to comment on your proposals at any time they are made public.
or might be most effective in rousing attention. (This could also be
‘premonitory). :

My only comment on the text of the patition is to focus more sharply _
on the arms-control aspect and the. dangers of escalation, encouragement, escape,
‘irresponsible use, etc. of CBR... 1 would shun the “humanianfian" side, or ..:

 

anything that smacks of it, as diversiary. For the U.S. not to escalate CBRis

important, but what about the technical problems of non-proliferation.
agreements? Should there be a Geneva Conference to. explore routes to
test-monitoring? (Not that I can see a practical route now.) What about.
trying self-inspiration here, since CBR weapons are not really. a matter of
prime national interest?

Scientists do have a special basis for comment since they can advise’
the President how easily such weapons might be aped by uth powers, and -
how they might get out of hand (at least BW).

From this standpoint, Johnson might be particularly responsive
to the names of people who have been associated with Fort Detriek or other
CBR work. Werner Braun might be a key person for this. Again, you might well
attract him and others on the non-proliferation issue, and would probably
lose them on "how awful it is".

It might be just as interesting if we did not totally converge --
for the sake of some more interesting flavor for a colum.

Nos 774s aw
Dr. Matt Meselson
August 3, 1966
Page Two

If you don't have an independent route, I would also be giaad to reconm-
mend a position for a Post editorial; if you sharpen the issue properly,
I imagine the staff would be pretty sympathetic to your approach, and I
think it would be extremely helpful to you if this is so.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JL:eif |