CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

February 12, 1958

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Medical Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Josh:

I was intrigued by your memorandum on cosmic microbiology and agree
with you that we should take a long view of these problems before we do
irreparable harm from the scientific point of view. I must say that I am
somewhat mystified, however, as to just how one would go about sampling
the moon without contaminating it in the process with terrestrial organisms.

In any event, however, I believe that it would be a healthy thing
if you would prepare another memorandum, perhaps somewhat more subdued in
tone, secure the signatures of perhaps two or three other reputable micro-
biologists and submit it for publication in both Science and Nature.
Another possible location would be Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta which
is published by the Pergamon Press in London. This would 1 believe have
the effect of creating an awareness of the problem.

 

I have not seen you in a long time but I keep hearing stories about
your fine work. If you ever get out this way I do hope that you look me
up.

With warm wishes,

Sincerely,
Mrmr
Harrison Brown

HB:ds