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CONSEIL INTERNATIONAL DES UNIONS SCIENTIFIQUES
(INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC UNIONS)

Dr. L. V. Berxner, President The President

Fatwer P, Lejay, Vice-President Dr. L. V. BerKNzeR

Dr. K. S. Kaisunan, Vice-President Associated Universities, Inc.
CotoneL E, Herpays, Treasurer 10 Columbus Circle, Suite 1750
Sm H. Spencer Jones, Secretary General New York 19, New York, U.S.A.

April 8, 1958

Prof. Joshua Lederberg
Genetics Building
University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, wiscénsin

Dear Professor Lederberg:

The report to which you referred in your letter of March 31
is an internal document of the U.S. National Committee for
the IGY. I am enclosing a copy for your perusal, but you
will note that it is not yet in final form and therefore

is not available for general publication. Since I have no
control of this matter, I would appreciate it if you

would consider this as a private document for your informa-
tion only. Also, this is my only copy so would you please
return it within the next few days.

With respect to your earlier correspondence, you will be
interested to know that an international committee is

now being established to look into the whole question of
contamination of extra-terrestrial objects in order that
contamination can be reduced to an essential minimum. This
committee will be under the chairmanship of the well-known
bio-chemist, Professor Florkin of Liege, and will include

a number of leading scientists representing every interested
field. They have been asked to make a report by August l.

I am sure that Professor Florkin would be happy to receive
any detailed suggestions that you may wish to pass on to him
concerning the work of the committee.

_ Sincerely Aourss
. ;

> a Le ; “y CG - MeL
“Le Ve Berkner /-<..
President

Enc.

Signed in Dr. Berkner's absence