NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550

June 11, 1970

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

Department of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, California 94305

Dear Joshua:
I read the enclosed newspaper artides with great interest.

I don't know if you recall our conversation during my visit to
Stanford on February 25, 1969, but it concerned the possibility of

a national program with some similarities to the one you proposed

to the House Appropriations Subcommittee. The purpose of this
letter is to inform you that through a grant to the Genetic Society
of America, a study group has been functioning to plan the coordination
of a research effort called “A National Program on the Molecular
Biology of the Hwnan Cell." ‘These plans are well under way, and

the NSF has already indicated interest in the program. You probably
know some of the details since Charlie Yanofsky played the central
role in the program's development and Walter Bodmer was an active
participant on the planning committee. I'm sure Charley will be
happy to give you an up-to-date briefing on the status of the plan.

Needless to say, I think the idea is a good one, and I think there
is a proper role for both the NSF and NIH in this area. JI also
think it would be te the mutual advantage to all those promoting
such a national effort to do so in a coordinated manner. Otherwise,
they may inadvertently find themselves working at cross purposes.
I'm sure you agree.

I would like to see a copy of your testimony if this is available.
- Cordially,

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Herman W. Lewis, Head
Cellular Biology Section

ee: Dr. Charles Yanofsky . ‘