NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

January 28, 1958

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

Dear Josh:

I appreciate your sharing with me your worries with respect to
the microbiological contamination of the moon surface if man persists
in his success in launching vehicles to outer space, I would suggest
that either you, or preferably the Society of Microbiologists, should
get up a letter, patterned after your mimeogranhed sheet to the follow-
ing individuals: Lloyd Berkner, Vice-Chairman of the International
Geophysical Year; Alan T. waterman, Director, National Science Foundation;
Detlev Bronk, Fresident, National Academy of Sciences, and Chairman,
National Science Board; James Killian, Chairman, Science Advisory
Committee; Wallace Brode, Office of the Science Advisor, State Department;
the Fresident of the International Union of Biological Sciences and
the corresponding chairman of the microbiological subunit,

I believe with you that the problem you raise is of sufficient
importance that you and your professional group should bring the issues
to the attention of those individuals listed above,

Sincerely yours,
William V. Consolazio

Program Director
Molecular Biology