September 23, 1976

Ambassador vgeenh Martin, Jr.
Delegation of the United States of America

to the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament
Geneva, Switzerland

Dear Joe,

Thank you so much for sending me the verbatum record as well as the
statement that you submitted at the CCD that referred to my speech in 1970
and to the problem of "recombinant DNA".

I guess I am really puszled, who could have believed that there was
any question about the BW freaty covering new biological agents, however
they might be generated. Was there in fact any tangible hint from any
source whatsoever that such a doubt existed?

I suppose the history of the Geneva Protocol shows that treaty
language is sometimes ambiguous about unanticipated technical developments.
(For example, the tear gas, herbicide questions). However, the plain language
of the BW Treaty seems so clear that I wondered what the issue was really
about since it seemed hardly likely that there could be any alternative
interpretation, quite regardless of the background legislative history.

I guess, the other point is that when people get exercised and excited
about an issue, they may need redundant reassurances.

Good luck,

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JL/rr

y
od

pf

amb $o}ol pt lo) lb

\

+

o