March 16, 1961

Mr. Howard Simons
872 National Press Bul lding
Washington 4, D.C.

Dear Mr. Simons

In a brief correspondence It would be difficult to deal with the subtle
issues raised by your letter of March 13, 1961. There Is some truth In the
most contradictory of your remarks.

Speaking for the particular problem of exobiology, | would say that
NASA has made great strides In the past eighteen months towards the develop-
ment of a program which is reasonably consistent with vehicle capabl lities.
The agency has given the most generous support to my own research program ~
In contrast to the remark that : “unless an experiment is directly related
to ''man«-In=space'' It will not be supported.'' Of course, it remains to be
seen whether biological experiments wlll be given adequate priority on the
planetary probes when these are actually ready. There is every indication
of it. There have been some serious delays and shortages of staff In
government laboratories for the development of scientific Instruments and
thelr adaptation to space flight.

On the whole | would say that NASA Is under.great pressure to use Its
available funds for engineering development of new vehicles and for such |
popular projects as Mercury. A more balanced program would undoubtedly
make more money available for background scientific research and instrumen-
tation - not just In blology. NASA Is also bound by legislative controls
on the use of funds for construction, e.g., for university laboratories,
and this is doubtless the maln pinch you have heard about. The strong
emphasis on engineering can doubtless be traced to the competition for
performance where the Russians have outstripped us. | have full confidence
in the program directors at NASA, who are doing a conscientious job of
Interpreting Congressional Interest in the best Interests of a sound program.
As to other aspects of space blology, | am not so well acquainted with the
present state of NASA operations and would prefer not to comment.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics