cOck

September 20, 1961

Or. G.E.W. Wolstenholme
The Ciba Foundation

4} Portland Place
London, W. 1, England

Dear Dr. Wolstenholme:
To yours of August 30.

| believe that the Ciba Foundation could very profitably sponsor a
symposium on extraterrestrial ltife. This would have two parts = the detection
of life elsewhere within the solar system by proximate investigation; and
communication with Intelligent life elsewhere In the galaxy. { believe that
it would also be most fruitful if, contrary to some past experiences, the
symposlum did not entirely confine Itself to sclentific questions, but also
dealt with some of the political, legal and social Issues.

While there would be considerable virtue to haveing such a conference
even without Russian participation perhaps one of Its greatest potential values
would be to provide a non-political forum at which there could be canplete
International representation. However, there are reasons to suspect that the
Russians will be rather suspéélous of such a venture, and it may take some
careful work and planning to allay that suspicion. 1! would suggest, therefore,
that your first measures would be to make a similar inquiry of some of our
Russtan colleagues to see If it would be possible top elicit some active interest
on their part. If so it might be desirable or even necessary to narrow the .
scope of the discussion somewhat from the range of fields that | have ment loned
since some of these may be too closely connected with tense political questions.
If a Russian Interest cannot be promptly and decisively engaged, then we might
peoceed without on this broader basls,

| do not feel that it would be particularly profitable for Ciba to
undertake a conference on the Man In Space aspects of space medicine since
this problem Is so thoroughly gone Into at¢frequent intervals elsewhere.

There may be some discussions of parts of the topic in other organi-
zations, but | do not know of any that would attempt the breadth that | suggest
here,

It would be of real advantage to elicit the Interest of some of our
outstanding colleagues in various aspects of the question regardless of
whether they have previously contributed to the subject.

IWIPWNILE YOM

e

‘ODA
Dr. G.E. W. Wolstenholme 2 September 20, 1961

If these proposals are agreeable to you and a more definite plan
seems worth working out, | will be very happy to offer any support that }
can for the success of the venture.

| trust you will have had an Interesting, and 1 hope not too
exhausting trip.

With best regards,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics