May 11, 1957

Dr. Robert S. Morison
Biological and Medical Research
Rockefeller Foundation

New York 20, VY.

Dear Ur. Morison:

I will continue to uddress this correspomience to you, knowing that
Dr. Anderson may be your deputy for an interval.

I an very sorry that I had not commnicated with you sooner, especially
as regards aur travel plans.

It is easy to see the logic of the gsneral principles underlying your
letter of Muy 8. Of course, it can be added that the basic support which
the Foundation has given my research program has encouraged omer inves t-
sents, Irom other ugencies, aid in that sense done miltiple duty

It ds true thet the long-term plans for the devalonasnt of mecical genetics
are atill to be consolidated, though this 4s proceeding rapidly. It is also
true tint my on longstanding research program in microbial genetios will
be continuing, and would be acutely embarradsed by « sudden cessation of
support from an important source, In the light of these considerations, I
would be very huvpy indeed to have a two-year renewal of my present grant,
with the understanding that in thet interval our oversll pattern of support
would be reviewed. For reasons of local policy, 2 would prefer that my re-
search cuntinue to be Budgeted through the College of agriculturs, ao long
as my facilities remin on this campus. In about tro years, we would have
noved to « new research wing at the medical school. That tine would seem to
be most appropriate for Llooxing at medical genetics as . whols. However, if
ths soundation would prefer an integration, at this time, of its support to
my own research program, and to the development of medical genstics, through
a single grant to the medical school, this could also be arranged. My main
immediate concern is sufficient continuity of suppert to allon enough time
for well-thought-out proposals to various sources.

Dean Bowers is about to return from his own Furcnesn trip, and if he has
not already communicated with you, I am sure he will before lung.

Cordially yours,

3 Joshua Lederberg :
Professor’ of Genetics

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