April 26, 1960

Pr. Alan Waterman, Director
National Sclence Foundation
Washington 25, 0. C.

Dear Or. Waterman:

This fs to follow up my telegram of today's date.

Your Inquiry as to my availability for nomination to the Matlonal
Sclence Board left me deeply honored, but posed @ problem for thoughtful
conscience. | have had to conclude that it would be unwise to accept
this responsibility eat the present time.

The orgenization of a new department at Stanford Medical School
and other public end professional responsibilities are already very
demanding prececupations which have left little enough time to do my
own work In the laboratory and try to keep up with the scientific
literature in my own field. The additione! burden of conscientious
attention to NS$6 effairs, in these circumstances, could preclude my
continued participation in laboratory research.

This kind of deciston is not made lightly; but | know that you

will have access to many other equally sultable or better qualified
nominees. .

The objectives of the Foundation must concern eny citizen and

sclentist and | hope to be able to serve them In a way thet includes
the coherence of my activity In research.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor and Executive
Department of Genetics

Le MEWFLEIM