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WASHINGTON [SSI] UNIVERSITY
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ST. LOUIS 30, MISSOURI

PLANNING COUNCIL FOR BIOLOGY August 7, 1962

Professor Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
Stanford University

Palo Alto, California

Dear Joshua:

Washington University has decided to undertake a study of recent
trends in the biological and related sciences in order to evolve plans
for the future development of the University's academic program in
biology. The considerations which have prompted this decision are
described briefly in the enclosed statement.

For this purpose the University has established a Planning Council
for Biology. As indicated in the enclosed statement it will be an im-
portant part of the Council's work to stimulate discussion of problems
relevant to the future development of biology among the faculty. To
this end we are inviting a number of leading investigators to visit
the University in order to lecture on their views of these problems,
and to discuss the matter more informally with the Council.

I am writing to invite you to visit us for this purpose. At a
minimum we hope that you could spend enough time with us to permit an
afternoon lecture and an informal discussion in the evening. A longer
visit that would provide an opportunity for more leisurely and detailed
discussions would be welcomed. We should be happy to have you visit us
at any time between October 1962 and May 1963 that is most convenient
to you, but other things being equal would prefer the first half of this
period. The University will provide for all travel expenses and an hon-
orarium of $300.

The members of the Council are quite eager to discuss these matters
with you for we are aware that you have given them considerable thought
and deeply appreciate their importance. I know that this invitation
only adds to your problem of finding time to stay home and work. How-
ever, it is not offered casually; we are acutely aware of the urgency
of planning effectively for the future development of academic programs
in biology, and know that your particular views of the issues must be
seriously weighed in our judgments. I hope that you will accept.

With all good wishes,

Sincerely yours,

Barry Commoner
Chairman

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