INDIANA UNIVERSITY

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA

Science Halil 101

MEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

March 16, 1950

Dr, Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics

The University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Lederberg:

The results you mention are exciting, and I'm glad they're stimu-
lating you to consider the need for a comprehensive attack. JI was
especially glad to get your letter because I too have felt the need for
such an attack, although I have not yet had exverience with the chemical
production of mutations, I hope that we can get together some time soon
and talk over the possibility of getting support for work of a whole
group, dealing with different organisms or phases of the work at differ-
ent institutions, The attack could be carried on at several levels, the
first level being your attack on bacteria. The cheapest mammals, mice,
are so expensive in such work that there ought to be an in-between level
or levels as well. I think Drosophila should come in as an in-between
level and possibly one or more "cellular"! plants, such as Neurospora and/
or Oenothera, J am thinking of the latter (Qenothera) only because it
might lend itself rather readily to the detection of gross structural
changes in chromosomes and because Cleland's interest in doing that might
perhaps be aroused,

Your letter came this morning and I went right over to Cleland
about it because he is the one who would have to officially initiate such
a project if it were to be sponsored by the National Research Council,

He maintained a cautious attitude but I think he might be convinced,
though lt may be that some more publications along these lines will have
to appear first, or at least he will have to be showm more definite evi-
dence. He says he does not want the NRC to go on a big money raising
campaign and have it turn out to be "a wild goose chase", (Of course I
tell you this only confidentially.)

In my opinion the matter should be put on a broader basis than

one of only looking for mutagenic chemicals that might be received fron
outside, It ought to include an attack on biological conditions which
are predisposed to or against mutations, of different kinds, And while
direct, though long-in-maturing, practical value for humanity in helping
us to avoid mutations should be the most important angle in getting
people to agree to give funds, the funds ought explicitly to be given for
fundamental mutation study in general. One can, to a certain extent, get
money (and a few people can get a lot of it) for radiation mutation WOLK ,

 
 

as from the AEC, but that is by no means broad enough as an attack, And
while Hollaender is beginning to realize that spontaneous mutations and
chemical should be studied too, I do not think all that work should be

left to Oak Ridge or that enough of it can be done there, Nevertheless,
when mouse work is under consideration in the broader program, the Russells
who are doing radiation mutation work on mice at Oak Ridge, should be
asked to join in the planning, and probably Hollaender too, AsTI ama
consultant in that work, I could throw out feelers in that direction when
the time seemed propitious,

?

My own work is dependent on cancer grants and, as I expected, the
cancer people are pulling the purse strings tighter when it comes to
giving money for genetics, It is not right that mutation work should
have to be a tail to the cancer kite, I think the time has come when it
ought to be recognized in its own right and that we ought to make an
effort to get a-movément to support it started by the NRC, unless some
more suitable agency can be found, We have to proceed very cautiously,
however, so I should like to talk it over with you privately before much
more is done, If there were to be another meeting of the phage genetics
group soon which we both were to attend, we could do it there, but that
might be waiting too long, Are you expecting to have to come east within
the next few weeks? If so, you should plan to stop here on the way,

With kindest personal regards,
Yours sincerely,
H. J. Muller fa
HJM:hs