THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201

 

UEC - 4 1969

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

First, let me take advantage of your cordial comments
and thank you for "cheering me on". Your letter of
November 17 was genuinely welcome, for its candor ail
across the critical spectrum.

As of course you know, "stamping out research" is not
among my highest priorities. But the fact is, for
decades, we have been heading toward the health-care
crisis in which now we find ourselves. In every
professional and paraprofessional category, we are
dangerously short of skilled manpower. Indeed, we
lack the capability of translating research break-
throughs into actual and accessible health services.

Hos

In my remarks to the Mayo Alumni Association, it was
this situation I attempted to pinpoint. Also, I stated
my strong conviction that it denigrates both biomedical
research and medical education to permit the one to
dictate to the other --- and that applies both ways. We
must begin to target resources more precisely, whatever
the budgetary situation, and that is the process we have
begun. .

Again, my thanks for your forceful and thought~provoking
comments. I hope you will often give me the benefit of
your truly authoritative ideas.

Warm personal regards.

Sincerely,
CME
e ary

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

Professor of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford University Medical Center

Stanford, California 94305