THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
Washington, D.C. 20230

 

FEB 3 1970

Professor Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
School of Medicine
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Professor Lederberg:

I was unaware that you are so close to my good friend Ron
Howard. Is it fair to infer that your writings reflect some
contact with his group of decision analysts? If so, that
would go far towards explaining why I found your writings

so close in spirit to some of my own views. These are most
thoroughly set out in my book "Rational Descriptions, Deci-
sions and Designs," which Pergamon has just released. A
former student of mine, Fred Offensend, now at Stanford,

has been trying to apply these ideas in the analysis of
résk at a hospital. Perhaps you know him, too.

Starr's work is really only a first step, and as such it is
an oversimplified treatment of much more complex issues than
appear in the paper. At my request the National Academy is
trying to generate more interest in this field. The confer-
ence to which Starr refers in his letter to you is part of
their response.

I have tried to analyze in a simple but formal way, the set-
ting of flammable fabric standards. In due course a paper on
that subject will be sent you.

I hope you will let me know when you visit Washington. Mean-
while, thanks for the columns. My staff and I will be studying

your suggestions.

Sincerely,

   
 

ystant Secretary
Science and Technology