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NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20418

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT November 26, 1996

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Rockefeller University
Founder’s Hall, Suite 400
1230 York Avenue

New York, NY 10021-6399

 

Dear Josh,

I am pleased to offer you an appointment as the chairman of a new committee being
formed to develop a plan for cooperation between biomedical researchers in Russia and the
United States. Your appointment would be for a one year term beginning November 25, 1996.
Your leadership of the Committee on International Security and Arms Control’s Working Group
on Biological Weapons Control has been invaluable in bringing this project to fruition. I am
delighted that your patience has finally been rewarded.

The committee’s charter is to develop a plan for U.S. Government support for
cooperative research, monitoring and public health management studies of serious diseases of
global public health importance. Recognizing that many of the leading specialists on the relevant
pathogens in both countries have historically been associated with biological defense programs,
the United States Department of Defense has provided financial support to the NAS for this
effort through the Nunn-Lugar legislation.

The project will be able to initiate at least two joint research projects designed to
demonstrate the benefit of combining American and Russian scientific expertise in biology and
public health. It will also develop an institutional design for monitoring dangerous pathogens,
for responding to occurrences of the diseases they cause and for conducting research on
preventive and therapeutic techniques. This bilateral effort will be coordinated with other
international programs that have similar purposes.

The initial joint research projects are to be carried out through the International Science and
Technology Center in Moscow and we hope to be able to begin them in early 1997. The report
outlining the longer term institutionalized arrangement for continued cooperative work is to be
completed in the fall of 1997. This is a demanding schedule, but we believe it is a major
opportunity to foster cooperation on urgent public health issues. There will be opportunities for
committee members to travel to Russia to consult with colleagues there on the development of
both the initial projects and the longer term plan.
As with other Academy activities, your participation on this committee will be strictly
as an individual and not as a representative of any organization. Members of Academy
committees serve voluntarily and without compensation. The Academy will reimburse you for
transportation and other allowable expenses incidental to travel and itemized subsistence and
accommodation costs. I am enclosing the standard statement, entitled "On Potential Sources of
Bias," and ask that the form be returned to my office with your letter of acceptance of
appointment.

If you have any questions about your appointment or other matters relating to the
Committee, I suggest that you contact Dr. Jo Husbands, Director of the Committee on
International Security and Arms Control, or Dr. Christopher Howson, Director of the Board on
International Health. Her number is 202-334-2811; his is 202-334-3658.

I hope you will agree to undertake this additional responsibility in an area of great
importance to all of us. I am confident that you would make a significant contribution and

would find it an interesting and rewarding experience.

incerely,

    

President

Enclosures