NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20418

 

INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE

January 27, 1986

Joshua Lederberg, Ph.D.
President

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

Wil Lybrand, who is no longer at the Institute, recently passed to
me your note to him regarding cooperation with the USSR and individuals
with a current interest in preventing the development of biological
weapons. I can offer only a little information in each area.

The Committee on International Scientific Cooperation in Health,
which you identified in the NAS Organizational Directory, is concerned
with promotion of regional collaboration on health research in the Middle
East, although in retrospect that was not clear in the description in the
old directory.

In early 1985 the Institute created a standing Board on International
Health and that body has expressed a strong interest in indentifying
possible areas of collaboration with the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
The National Academy of Sciences is finalizing a new agreement with the
Soviet Academy. At a forthcoming meeting the Institute's Council will
discuss the scope of its international activities and further efforts may
be proposed, for example, collaboration with the Soviet Academy of Medical
Sciences.

In November 1985 the Institute convened an international symposium
on the Medical Implications of Nuclear War, at which Dr. Nikolay Bochkov
of the Soviet Academy of Medical Sciences (Institute of Medical Genetics)
made a presentation. Other than this activity there has been little
contact involving IOM.

I am aware, however, that Ken Warren of the Rockefeller Foundation,
Donald Henderson of Johns Hopkins University, and Tony Robbins of the
House Commerce and Energy Committee staff have been in contact with
individuals in the USSR regarding vaccine supply and development for the
third world.
In regard to the question of preventing the development of biological
weapons, the only individual that I can suggest is Richard Novick (a bac-
teriologist), Director, New York Public Health Research Institute, who
testified recently on this issue before the House Commerce and Energy
Oversight Committee. Susan Wright of the University of Michigan is inter-
ested in policy and funding issues in this area. Terry Goldberg of the
Boston-based Committee for Responsible Genetics (617-227-8035) may be able
to provide more suggestions.

I hope this information is useful. Please call if I can be of
further assistance.

Sincerely,

Roy Widdus, Ph.D.
Director
Division of International Health