Often, after a marriage ends in divorce, people once
thought to be friends, suddenly melt away and disappear,
almost as if the friendship never existed. It may be
felt that it is hard to maintain allegiances to both
people. Often it is felt that a choice must be made
between maintaining a friendship with both people. This
is no less true of scientist-colleagues.
In the book "Perspectives on Genetics: Anecdotal,
Historical, and Critical Commentaries, 1987-1998",
edited by James F. Crow and William F. Dove (University
of Wisconsin Press, 2000), there is absolutely no mention
of any of Esther's research work, work done conjointly by
Esther and her former husband Joshua Lederberg; no mention of
replica plating, Fertility Factor F, etc. Dr. James Crow
knew Esther and Josh Lederberg over a wide expanse of
years, but there are no anecdotes either. It is as if
Esther never existed! The photographs in this section,
however, say something different.
A non-objective viewpoint can enter a book that is biased.
Colleague Stanley Falkow has pointed out that gender
discrimination was quite pervasive in the field of molecular
genetics and microbiology. The "good old boy" network endures.