February 5, 1980

Carll Tucker
Editor
The Saturday Review
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019

Dear Mr. Tucker:

I realize that many factors must necessarily affect your decision regarding Dr. Handler’s proposed article. The very fact that he would react as he has done brings into sharp focus the basic problem reported in Susan’s article. When a dispute develops concerning scientific matters which strongly affect the national interest and welfare, who should decide and how? I could well understand a decision that such a debate was not appropriate for Saturday Review; but, on the other hand, Dr. Handler has never done anything like this before, and publication of his article, together with a suitable rebuttal, would, I think, be highly readable and distinctly in the public interest. I hope you find it possible to publish his article, together with perhaps two replies—one from Susan and one from me, since we’re both attacked at roughly equal efforts. If you feel that this would not be worthwhile, I’d be very grateful if you let me know so that I could pursue this idea of an open exchange with other publishers who might feel it would be appropriate for their readers.

Sincerely,

Andrew A. Marino, Ph.D.
Research Biophysicist