I received today in Banyuls sur Mer (66650) your letter of

.-

October 17.
and do hope that n\y handwriting will not pose too difficult problems.
I shall try to answer the different points raised in your letter.

As I have no typewriter I am obliged to answer.ta. .%dU$--.Ji$:{

Of coursz the use of sigla in a generic name is forbidden by

the rule.  The rule which a number of virologists have not accepted.
They continue to use sigla or hybrids of words and of sigla.
In doing so they hope to succeed in imposing names which violate the
rule because these names will be in use long enoi!gh.  :kthing can
be done against this oblique procedure which shovs a tc@:al disrespect
of the law and nonetheless total lack of discipline.  itity have rules
if they are only good to be transgressed?  You tIi.:nk t'izt the rule
concerning sigla might be rescinded; this would be rerJ1 ettable,
for what shall we do when Chinese or Hungarians or Pntcgons will
propose sigla based on their own language?  For ; nonicnclature, an
international nomenclature, cannot be based only GII English words.
Now the monster Oncorna.
Oncoribovirus wouldsuitable and why not more siriply Oncovirus
(of course a type species should be designated).
the DNA oncogenic viruses are named (all known vi r!izes).  So this
can be no confusion.

You are asking me to proiae substitutes.

             So fiir as I know,

   Since I have launched the ICNV I have always had the impression
that a number of virologists ignore what a nomencltiture is, also
ignore the basis of systematics and often confuse nomenclature
with systematics.  I have written enough articles on the subject
and have resigned from the ICNV, finding painting nare rewarding
than unpleasant and useless discussions. I will be pleased to
answer any other questions.  I shall be back in Paris next week.
With kind regards,

Sincerely yours,

Andre Lwoff

P.s.: Please feel free to circulate this letter to all it may concern.