NOV 81965

CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON

Geophysical Faboratory

280l1 UPTON STREET, N. W., WASHINGTON 8, D.C.

WOOOLEY 6-0334

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Noveniber 4, 1965

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
School of Medicine
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

Recently I have performed model experiments which convince
me that conditions imposed by the geophysics of Mars make it highly
improbable that organic compounds have been synthesized there and
that accordingly life could not originate on the planet.

My findings will be published in the December issue of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. However, in view
of your activity with respect to this problem, I thought you would
be interested in an advance copy which I am enclosing.

Sincerely yours,

Philip f Abelson
Director