November 4, 1958 Fifth pratt
PLANS FOR SUSTAINING AND DEVELOPING GENETICS AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

te The Importance of Genotics

Genetics, although comparatively new, occupies a central place
among the biclogical sciences. The theory of evolution by natural sea~
lection propounded just a century ago, first brought the organic world
under one point of view. Similarly genetics provides the basis for a
unified approach to the unique properties of the living substance by
having disclosed a common pattern in the germinal material. It has
become a pivotal area within the natural sciences, by bringing physics,
chemistry, mathematics and biclogy together in the study of the material
basis of life. The importance of genetics is further attested by the
fact that it has been listed by the National Institutes of Health as
an area of critical personnel shortage.

The many practical applications of genetics to agriculture have
long been recognized. Hybrid corn, disease resistant and high yielding
varieties of plants, and improved livestock are familiar to everyone
as examples of the successful application of genetic methods. In
addition to its contributions to agriculture, genetics may be expected
to have new applications in other areas, especially in medicine. There
is great interest now in the biological effects of radiation, and we may
note how fortunate it is that the genetic effects of radiation were
discovered before the development of atomic energy; otherwise man would
be in danger of unwittingly doing harm to his genetic future. The dis
coveries that the principles of genetics apply in bacteria and in
viruses make possible a much deeper understanding of disease producing
organisms and provide a rational basis for synthesis of strains useful
for vaccines and for the production of antibiotics. Recent work on

immunology, tissue transplantation and tissue cultures have not only
increased theoretical knowledge, but already have had important medi-
cal applications in such things as blood transfusion and tissue trans~
plantation.

Finally, one of the consequences of the theory of evolution is
that man himself is evolving, and that his future biological develop-~
ment is in his own hands. Any thoughtful consideration of mants long

range future will have to take his genetics into account.

2. The Growth of Genetics at the University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin was the first University in the United States to found
a separate Department of Genetics. From its beginning in 1910 with one
staff member it has grown to its present size of 16 persons of profaes~
sorial rank, 10 full time and 6 jointly appointed with other departments.
During these years more than 160 graduate students have been awarded
doctorates. Included among these are many who have had careers of dise
tinction in research, teaching, and service to science and agriculture.
The University of Wisconsin has become recognized as one of the
outstanding centers of genetics research and teaching in the world.
Among the more than 600 technical publications from this group are
several that are landmarks in the history of genetics and natural
science. Included in the present membership of the Department are
three former presidents of the Genetics Society of America, the presi«
dent of the recent International Congress of Genetics, four members
of the National Academy of Seiences, four who have been managing editors
of professional journals, recipients of several honorary degrees and
the Kimber award, the Walden Medal, the Elliot Medal, the Lewis Prize,
the Pasteur award, the Harvey Lectureship, the Borden award, the past
presidents of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Society of

Naturalists, American Sociaty of Zoologists, American Society of Animal

Production, and the Potato Association of America.
3. Organization of Geretics

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There was a single Department of Genetics at the University of

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Wisconsin until 1957, at which time a Department of Medical Genetics
was organized in the Medical School in response to the growing impor-
tance of genetics as a basic medical science. At present the working
relation between these Departments is very close, and we believe it is
imperative to maintain this in the future,

To this end the members of the two Departments have agreed to an
informal divisional organization, whose purpose is "to foster the con»
tinued and unified development of genetics at the University of
Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on research and training in funda}
mental genetics." The organization of this alliance does not alter
the legal responsibilities of the Departments or their relationship to
the Colleges, but does seek to achieve unity of policy and operation
in the field of genetics.

We recommend that the Division of Genetics be continued along the

lines of its present organization, and with its present purpose.

4%, The Limitations of the Present Genetics Program
It is our conviction that the present eminence of teaching and

research of genetics at the University of Wiseonsin must be maintained
and strengthened. It will not be possible to remain in the forefront
of the field merely by maintaining the status guo.e. It has been chare
acteristic of genetics, in the last decade especially, to open up and
develop new areas. This will require new staff, new techniques, and
new facilities (often elaborate chemical installations not previously

necessary).
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The University of Wisconsin has suffered a serious loss to its
leadership in genetics by the resignation of Dr. J. Lederberg. If
the University is to retain its present position it 1s necessary that
the program in genetics of microorganisms be continued and developed.

Within the next ten years five members of the staff of the De~

partment of Genetics will have retired. If these people are to be ree
placed with others of comparable eminence it will be necessary to have
much better facilities. There are three reasons for thist (1) Research
in agricultural phases of genetics is assuming more and more the pre«
cision and detail of a laboratory science, and along with other develop-«-
ments in genetics raquires more extensive laboratory facilities.
(2) Our present staff members have worked for years with substandard
equipment and space. (3) The curriculum in genetics has expanded and
a program for the adequate training of geneticists requires more labe
oratory experience than we can now provide.

In the past, undergraduate teaching of genetics was largely for
majors in agriculture or biology. With the increased public awareness
of the importance of genetics, we believe that it must play a larger
role in general education. To meet this need a non-professional course
in genetics is now being offered and a substantial segment of the

I.L.S. Biology Program is devoted to genetics.

5. Inadequacy of the Present Genetics Building

The Department of Genetics needs more space and better facilities
even to maintain its present program and personnel.

The Department has occupied essentially the same quarters since
19352 when it moved into the building formerly occupied by the Agronomy

Department. For many years the space (now about 12,600 square feet)
on Soe

and facilities in the Genetica Building have been inadequate. From

time to time the needs of the Department have been met in part by ex~
pansion and remodelling in the Genetics Building and by finding tenp-
orary, and often unsatisfactory space elsewhere. At present five persons
have to do part of their laboratory work outside the genetics building
in "borrowed" space. There is no space in the present building for an
adequate chemical laboratory, a serious drawback for the modern study

of genetics.

It is important te esphasize also the extent to which the Departe
ment*s teaching program has been curtailed by the lack of sufficient
classroom and laboratory space. Several years ago the laboratory for
elementary genetics was crowded out of the building, and has now been
discontinued. Wo laboratory course in genetics, graduate or undergraduate,
is taught in the Genetics Building. It is important for adequate
training in genetics to offer laboratory work in immunogenetics, cytowWw
genetics, Drosophila genetics and genetics of nicroorganiems, preferably
in the same building where genetics research is being donee At present
none of these laboratory courses is offered because of lack of stafr
er facilities, or both.

Late in 1957 a new animal research laboratory for Genetics was
completed to replace a building destroyed by fire. Although this did
not increase the space available, it was a great improvement in quality
and efficiency, compared with the previous facilities. The completion
of the new wing of the Servieco Memorial Institute will provide, late
in 1959, about 4000 square feet for research in the Department of

Medical Genetics. However, even with this, the total facilities avallable

are inadequate and will be more so in a few years.
6. Space Plans

If teaching and research in genetics at Wisconsin are to retain
their present position of leadership it is absolutely necessary that
more space and improved facilities be provided. Not only is the present
limitation of space critical, but the existing fragmentation of the
genetics group makes a unified program very difficult. Teaching and
research activities are now housed in six different buildings. The
only satisfactory solution to furnish the needed facilities and at
the same time foster a unified program is a building in which the
entire genetics group can be brought together.

Therefore we recommend that a Genetics Building be built, large
enough to provide for both teaching and research in the Departments of

Genetics and Medical Genetics and also to allow for growth. This

would require a building of approximately 60,000 square feet.

7. Staff Needs
For the immediate future appointments in the following fields are
recommended (without regard to order): |
Genetics of microorganisms (replacement for Dr. Lederberg).
Cytogenetics
Biochemical genetics (jointly in Genetics and Biochemistry).
Genetics of histocompatibility or tissue culture (Medical Genetics).
Mammalian developmental genetics (with collateral relation to
livestock breeding).
In addition, it is hoped that appointment of genetically oriented
persons can be made in such places as the Enzyme Institute, McArdle
Laboratory, Pediatrics, the Blood Bank, and in Bacteriology and other

departments of the College of Agriculture.
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We do not intend te set down now what the long term directions
fox growth should be except to indicate that research in genstic
principles and research basic to plant and animal improvement and medi~
cine should all be strongly represented in the future development of
genetics at the University of Wisconsin. Although we can confidently
predict the growth of genetics, we cannot predict the specific areas
where this will occur. For example, the large program in nicrobial
genetics would not have been foreseen 15 years ago. Any long range
plans must allow for the possibility of new positions, with adequate

space for laboratory facilities so that new areas may be developed as

they appear.