Newsmakers in this country invariably run the risk of having their names recorded in the address books of persons whose hobby is writing letters to famous people. When an astronaut orbits the earth, he is certain to get at least one letter of congratulation from a Southern California snake worshipper who points out in passing the joys of praying to reptiles. When a politician sues a newspaper for slander, he is equally certain to get at least one flowery note from a little old librarian who sympathizes completely because she has been swindled out of ten million dollars by the secret agents of that newspaper. And, it seems, when a Harvard professor wins the Nobel Prize, he, too, must expect the worst.

J. D. Watson has already received a letter of advice on how to cure his cold ("by putting pressure on key zones of the feet") and a request for a recipe for cupcakes made from algae. In addition, he has gotten the following masterworks:

1. From a man in Oregon, addressed to "The Honored Doctor of Biophysics."

Dear Doctor:

I have been reading about your and your associates DNA, and also about the Thalidomide as reported in Readers Digest, October, 1962, and in the digestion of these articles it came to me that in the process of DNA, in the embryo stage, could it be that this potent medicine could be the direct cause for the molecular reaction, DNA, to, or part thereof to be tranquilized and in this manner the DNA could not get the report through to the molecules responsible for the growth of the extremities of the fetus. In other words, could it be possible that Thalidomide could be directly responsible for the molecular reaction to revert back to the beginning of man (evolution) or the beginning of life itself known to this earth. If we came originally from sea life and transcended to the parts of the earth (dry land) on which we now live, could it not be that the flipper-like growths that resemble seal flippers could be molecular reaction returning to the original form of life or life where fins and flippers were used for propulsion?

Thalidomide may have properties in it that divert the usual scheme or flow of messages as in DNA and thusly prevents the overall or complete processing of the incubation of the ovule or the exact and proper creation of the embryo.

This devastating part of Thalidomide to mankind may be something that science the world over has been searching for to further prove the success in the development of man.

As I see it, Thalidomide, if taken long and strong enough could revert man back to the amphibian stage.

I congratulate you and your associates on your newly found fame and fortune, may you live and enjoy it for a hundred years or more. It truly is another important step in the progress of man.

Fama semper vivat

2. From a lawyer in Florida.

Dear Sir:

Please find enclosed a copy of my letter to Prime Minister Macmillan. You have my congratulations for winning the Nobel Prize.

More than half a century ago I came to the following conclusions:

(1) That heredity is the controlling factor in the field of human behavior.