STANFORD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS

JUN 22 j

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\—«*Dr. ~-Donald Frederickson, Director
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Md.

Dear Don:

Alex Rich passed on, after having talked with you, that you
might have interpreted my last letter as reflecting a serious
dissension at a time when, more than ever, we need to have clear
and coherent understanding within the scientific community.

I am sorry that the tone of my writing lent itself to such
an interpretation. My irony was directed at the EXTERNAL
stresses; and I had hoped that the last sentence of my
postscript would reflect the spirit of collegiality that, I
agree, it is essential to sustain. I should know by now that
irony is treacherous.

That letter was written before the story broke in the
Washington Post -—- and you may get some idea of what I have to
face from the fact that I still have not seen it, nor do I have
any factual information about who said what about it: yet I have
to infer that somehow our laboratory has been on trial!

My letter did not have a warm personal tone: I had in mind
that it might be regarded as a communication from an accused to a
judge, were it to reach the public record. I am sorry if that was
misleading. We all know what a difficult struggle you are in,
trying to sustain the integrity and viability of health research
in this country.

I hope there may come some quieter time that we might
discuss more constructive measures to bridge the important gaps
that frustrate the realization of health advantages from that
research, and in turn public support for the entire mission. Will
you be attending the IOM/ Health Research Policy group on July 5?

I am writing now before having received the response that
you told Alex was on the way.
Cordially,

  

ua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS, STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305 ° (415) 497-5052