Lf

6TH DisTRIcT, WISCONSIN " o. COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
OQ 4 Z Y it AND LABOR

Room 1023
LONGWORTH OFFICE BUILDING

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20513 Congress of the GAnited States 201 Post Orrice Bun DING

Cope 202: 225-2476 OsHKosH, Wis. 54901
’ Cope 414: 231-6333
House of Representatives 208 Poe ovner tuome
Wa 3h ity tort, 2. C. 2 0 5 1 5 SHEBOYGAN, Wis. 53081

*
fs

June 22, 1970

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Stanford Medical Center

300 Pasteur

Palo Alto, California 94304

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

I read with great interest the newspaper reports on
your presentation before the House Appropriations Com-
mittee. As I believe one of my assistants, Joel Margolis,
mentioned in an earlier letter to you, I have become in-
terested in the general area of the societal implications
of technological advances and scientific discoveries.

The subject of potential genetic change seems to me
to be perhaps the most important scientific discovery
which may occur in the remainder of this century. The
consequences, as you noted in your statement, are truly
startling. I believe that we, the public's representa-
tives, and the public must begin to consider the impli-
cations of these forthcoming events.

I would like to know what you believe that I, as a
Member of the House of Representatives, can do in this
area. Do you have any proposals in addition to your sug-
gestion for a national task force to identify and coordi-
nate research in this area? Should the President and/or
the Congress establish a commission to study the impli-
cations of the genetic revolution? If so, should we do
this before or after we have created the national task
force? I do not have to tell you that when the public
truly becomes aware of the potential of these new dis-
coveries, there is likely to be a strong hue and cry--
some will say that this is tampering with God's will,
others will want the government to move ahead full speed,
many will be deeply concerned. They have a right to be
concerned. The question is to try and analyze these mat-
ters in a non-emotionally charged atmosphere. Perhaps if
we start now we can do this.

C1 'AQOULLAS
I look forward to your comments with great interest.

Sincerely yours,

Ne uo

NN

William A. Steiger
Member of Congress

WAS: jm