JUN 27 1966

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH June 23, 1966
BETHESDA, MD. 20014
AREA CODE 301 TEL: 656-4000 In reply refer to:
HD 00045

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Professor and Executive Head
Department of Genetics
Stanford University

School of Medicine

Stanford, California 93404

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has already
informed you that a recommendation regarding your application for renewal
of research grant HD 00045 has been deferred until the November 1966 meet-
ing of the National Advisory Council on Child Health and Human Development.
The Epidemiology and Disease Control Study Section deferred recommendation
in order to obtain additional information from you. They found that the
proposal submitted was not sufficiently detailed to permit adequate evalua-
tion.

The Study Section members recognize that it is difficult to describe in
detail research which is moving in new directions and that it is unnecessary
and undesirable for proven investigators to have to certify competence by
elaborate descriptions of methodology. However, since Study Section members
must make judgements largely on the basis of the written proposal, they

must possess sufficient detail to allow them to make recommendations with
reasonable confidence.

I would like to cite a few specific examples of the kinds of questions

you might like to consider in preparing more detailed information for the
Study Section. It has been noted by the Study Section that the title of
the project does not appear to be directly related to the nature of the
investigation. The major focus of the study does not seem to be the com-
parison of mentally retarded and control kindreds but rather the detailed
analysis of fertility and child spacing patterns. Although this may seem to
be a minor point, it does illustrate that a more complete discussion of the
research in the proposal might have served to clarify whether your original
aims have changed, whether the title reflects an ultimate goal, or whether
this is still actually the major emphasis. In any case the Study Section
finds very little description and discussion of the mentally retarded and
control kindreds in the application.

The proposal does not clearly state your aims with respect to the analysis
of fertility patterns by socioeconomic variables. No hypotheses are suggested
Dr. Joshua Lederberg -~2- June 23, 1966

and no particular questions are asked. It is pointed out in the application
that in regard to the data on fertility and child spacing made available by
the Census Bureau, certain estimates need to be made to correct deficiencies
in the data. It is indicated that the corrected data are to be tabulated

and analyzed. This kind of general statement gives our reviewers very little
information to evaluate.

The Study Section noted that when you prepared the application in December
1965, you expressed considerable enthusiasm about the possibilities of the
IBM 360 system. Their experience indicates that delivery and operation
dates are not on the schedule which many persons had anticipated. They
wonder whether any complications may have arisen in the conduct of your
study related to the availability of this system.

The Study Section will appreciate whatever additional information you can and
wish to send us to assist them in the review of your renewal application. It
would be helpful to have this by the end of July in order to make copies availa-
ble to the members for thorough consideration before our meeting.

If I can be of any assistance to you in regard to this matter, I would be
glad to have you write or telephone me, My direct dial number is 496-7210
(area code 301).

Sincerely yours,

te

ne Wilcox, Sc.D.
xecutive Secretary
Epidemiology and Disease Control
Study Section
Division of Research Grants