Memo to S L Warren, Subject: Specific Proposals for the National Distribution of Radioisotopes Produced by the Manhattan Engineer District

Page 2

From: Radioisotope Committee of Clinton Xaboratories I n Re: SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR THE NATIONAL CISTRIBUTION OF RADIOISOTOPES PRODEED BY THE MANHATTAN ENGINEER DISIRICT The proposals directly stated herein without discussion are derived from the considerations in t h e more exhaustive documentp entitled .THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF RkDIOISOTOPES FROM THE h W TTAN EJJGINEER DISTRICT* and the subsidiary memoranda attached t o the latter. Both of these documents were orepared by Waldo E. Cob, a member of the Radioisotope Coxnittee of Clinton Laboratories, atthe direction of the Committee. This committee was amointed by the Director of Clinton Laboratories e mess ly for the study of the problem of radioisotom production and distribution and includes those individuals who are in dfrect charge of the exPerfmentaP uroduction o f radioisotopes at, The specific woposals are divided into four groups, RS

Page 3

Since radioisotopes are only produced a t nreeent on an e mri mental basis by research and developnent groups within t h e Project9 and since suitable facilities for routine moduQtion or for brofiuCtion in other than snecified forms are not available, we recommend that radioisotows be understood t o be available only in t h e amounts and forms and a t the times mci fie d by the modwing laboratory, and that this laboratory be regarded a s the final authority relative to avail a bill ty and as to what materials may be exbosed i n the uiles. Since the same groups and individuals within the Project who a r e able t o moduce radioiaotows in forms suitable for general d is tri - bution are also those i n whose hands lies the res m nei bil it y for expansion and development of radioisotope nroduction within the Project, we recommend that no commitments be undertaken with regard t o mesent nroduction that will hinder or obstruct their nrogress in the direction noted and that they be recognized a s the authorities relative to the balance of supnly, demand and mogress. Since radioisotows are at this time nrimarily of value in scientific research, wMch is in the nublic mlfare, and since the Project and its mrsonnel have a definite interest in momoting such research and have ti debt t o it, we rec mend that radioisotopes nroduced by the Project be distributed nreferentially t o research workers who will make generally known and available the results of the research facilitated by the use of Project-sumlied radioisotopes, said d is tri - bution t o be a t shiming cost or a t nominal cost or a t nroduction cost (if such can be ascertained). Since industrial or commercial use resulting in publishable research, research use and since it benefits over all others, we recormend that industry or commercial concern f o r of radioisotopes, other than that is less in the Dublic interest than the u8er over h i s commtitors and distribution of radioisotows t o an non-mblishable work be lin it ed to those materials of which there is am lw after all research needs are filled and further arranged so as to sm lyall commting organiSince the m of its ble and widesmead use and am lie ation of radioisotoms i n science w i l l benefit the nublic welfare and since it 'is the stated aim of this distribution arogrm toaid and assist such use and am lica - tion, wb recommend that the distribution of related and necessary information which will further this aim, such as radiochemical techniques, in st ment ation and health nr otec tim measures, be regarded a s an integral rwrt of the distribution nrogrm, and that this be nursued by all means available, including consultation with and the training of scientific personnel narticinating in t h e use of radioisotoms.

Page 4

Since there are hazards t o t h e health and safety of Individuals and the vublic in the handling, use and dia waal of radioisotones, w e reconanend that radioisotope6 be made available only t o those indi - viduals who can satisfy reaaonable requirements as t o knowledge and equipment for circumventing these hazards and that such distribution be made only through and with the knowledge of the institution of which the recipient is a member, said institution having accepted all moral and legal res u on sibi lit y relating to the use and disnosal of the material by there chien t, and that secondary distribution by the recipient above amounts em licit ly authorized be forbidden. Since the legal res w n sibi li ties relating to the use of any experimental material i n humane are even more stringent than those relating t o other use, ne recommend that distribution of radioisotoms for use in humans, whether exnerimental, diagnostic, theraneutic or whatever, be made o n l y after armroval by cmbetent medical advisors and only t o doctors of medicine associated with recognieed medical institutions. Since duplication of effort may be costly in terms of valuable material, ne recommend that steps (which may include discussion of the relative commtence of narallel investigators, the release of information relating ton ri or work on the same phenomena done on the Project, etc.) be taken t o avoid such dunlication, Since ur for i ties may have t o be a 8 ~ essed, ~ w erecommend: that the nrinciple of maximum benefit, i n the way of scientific result, with minimum material be adonted' that, t o further the above nrinciple, fundamental research in the basic ahysical and life sciences be given preference over a l l other wes, including the aoblied sciences of medicine and engineering. that, t o encourage the develoment of the understanding of, the develoment of methods for, and the ability to use, radioisotoms, a certain minimum amount of each available radioisotobe be made available t o any investigator o r teacher desiring t o use the material far these ends, and f'tzrther, that t h i s amount be the minimum rem nse to any qualified request, that needs for continuing eutmlies of material for extended research problems be recognized where possible. that, when circumstances of BtlDnly make necessary a choice among Investigators of similar phenomena, the choice be made on the basis of ability t o use the material most effectively, this to be judged by cometent and im~artiala ut hori ties, with the results of such judgement behg communicated t o all interested Darties,

Page 5

To effect the above wlicy and to eo licit widesrrread sumrt and understanding of it, t h e following organization is recommended. This condttee is t o advise the Manhattan Engineer District on matters of broad policy (see Part I) and t o gain for it a general understanding and acceptance of t h e adopted policies. Its members should be representative of t h e several major divisions of pure and applied science that are interested in radioisotopes rather than of specific working groups, laboratories or organizations; equitable and widespread geographic rewresentation should likewise be sought, We recammend that the President of the National Academy of Science be requested to nominate for Manhattan Engineer District This Bosrd is the agency within the Manhattan Engineer District which produces and/or meDares radioactive materials for shipment i n remonee t o accepted applications. It will receive the specific requests for radioacrtive materials and will specify shipments in accordance with these, the moduction mechanisms and facilities and of the states and quantities in which radioisotopes can be vroduced and shl pm d, well as of the details involved in their bandling and use. This Board must be in a position t o balance supnly and demand and also production and development, Its members must have detalled knowledge of We recommend that the Radioisotope Cod tte e of Clinton Laboratories, with certain mci fic additions, (See IVY 3) be appofnted as the Allocation Board.

Page 6

This group exists arhcipally t o aid the Allocation Board in the aseessment of priorities and responsibilities and thus t o enme equitable and safe distribution of materiala. advise t h e Policy Committee if 90 requested. This group should be divided into several panels, one f o r each of the scientific fields in w h i c h radioisotoma are wed. Each banel should be cam~asedof eeveral active workers in the field r e ~ ree en ted, cho~m80 as t o give geograbhically widespread rearresentation from men who are close t o the laboratory, olinic or DLant. wincipal criteria t o be am lied in eeleating a member of any Panel are his ability, knowledge and acquaintanceship in his field necessary t o judge the abplication of a coGorker. This requires knowledge by each member of both the men and t h e methods involved i n his specific field of work. It may also Specific panels recommended are phg-sics, Chemistry (Inorganic, Organic and Physical), Biology (Biochemistry and its eubdivisions Radiobiology, etc.), Medicine (all members t o be Lbctors o f Medicine and t o represent both Radiology and C l - in icc il Medicine), and Engineering and Industry {particularly Chemical), Engineer District apbointment Advisory Panels as specified above. We recommend that the Policy Cdt tee nominate for Manhattan

Page 7

Public announcement of the general ~ l a nof nrocedure by t h e Manhattan Engineer District should be made, include the following: This plan should 1. The amointment of the Policy Committee by the Manhattan Fngineer District(after nomination as mci fie d in 11, 1). 2. The amointment of the Advisory Panel by the Alanhattan Engineer District (after nomination as s wc if i ed in 11, 3) with a statement of tentative policy. The apbointment of the Allocation Board by the Manhattan Engineer District (as mecified i n 11, 2 ) . 4.A statement by the Policy C&ittee t o each member of the Advisory Panel and of all other probably interested individuals and organizatione, both inside and outside t h e Markattan Engineer District, (universitfea, societies) asking them, alternatively: a, To submit a statement of views and critiques of the Vroposed ~ l a nand Dolicy tothe Policy Committee, b. To attend an open meeting held by the Policy Committee for them mse of shaning and exnlaining the Policy, c. To do both the above, 5 . The drawing UP of the final statement of policy and nlan by the Policy Committee, acceptance of this by the Manhattan F.ngineer District, and distribution of this, with a request for a11 aFoDosed a mli cants to comumicate their needs for radioactive material t o the Executive Secretary of the Allocation Board, in the following manner: a. Publimtion in scientific journals of wide distribution. b, Direct form letter to all known interested -ties,

Page 8

1, The Executive Secretary will reD ly to each communication received above by returning t o the writer t h e following forms: a. Detailed statement of plan, oolicy and organizational membershiv for distribution. b o A list of available or potentially available radioisotopes (to be submitted by the Allocation Board). co Copies of t h e apolication form (see below) d. A statement that materials will not be shipbed for 1-2 month8 t o allow for the receiut and organization of all requests. 2. The Executive Secretary ail1 turn over the initial letters of request t o the Allocation Board a s evidence or indication of relative needso Qualified aaplications will be honored by t h e Allocation Board without reference t o the Advieory Panel if the material is available and the application is such that no such reference i s needed. . When relative nriorities or references are necessary, the Executive Secretary will send the necessary WormatSon t o selected members of the Advisory Panel who will return it t o him with their comments and recommendations. The Allocation Board will endeavor t o fallow these recommendations. Secretary will keep all interested = t i e s informed on the arogress and result of such negotiations. Shipments will be made df rect ly from the nroducing laboratory (Clinton Laboratories) to the institution of which the apnlicant is a member, marked t o the attention of the apDlicrrnt. Requests requiring additional information w l l l be handled by diFect cofies~ondencebetween the Executive Secretary and the

Page 9

D. The Amlication Form A standard anulication form should be arovided requesting answers t o the following (either direatly or by reference to an 2. Minimum and maxlmm amounts useful. in the moblem o r problems t o be attacked and time interval during which it is needed; 3. Form, Dur it y, concentration, solvent required atthe time of use; 4* Facilities and experience a t hand for converting supnlied form t o form indicated in (31, i f it differs from the 5. Instrumentation and em rien ced wrsonnel available for measurement and f o r health moteation; 6 , Method of disposal of large amounts o r of long-lived material, if such is requested; 7. Need for continuing suply t h e solution of the Drobhm a t hand, and timing of such; 8 , Description of m posed problem and ita genesis, including methods t o be used and type of solution sought; 9. Dependence of momsed problem unon redioisotow, i n amomt 10. Previous emerience with radioisotoDe material or other sources of comparable nature; 21, Possible alternate sources of materiel requested, with discussion; 12. Possibility of reclamation and return. 1. Signature of officer of institution to t6e effect that the institution assumes f’ull responsibility for handling after receiut and for return of containers. Signature of apDlicant stating his willingness t o abide by decision of Allocation and Advisory Boards and t o adhere t o general policies of distribution, including guarantee of no secondary distribution not explicitly authorized by the Policy Committee.

Page 10

Tie submit the following lists of individuals from which nominations t o these committees could be made. and (2) , the lists are exemnlery rather than comnlete and may easily be extended, Spedding, R. Adams, GOB. Ustiakowsky, Le (2) Advisory Panels (in addition t o any listed above; a large number desired): Cherdstry: R.V. Dodson, COS. Garner, R.W. Connick, GOT. Saborg,

Page 11

1Better titled "The Manhattan Eslgineer District Technical Advisory Board on RadioisotoDe Production and Distributionn. 2Unless this Board i s advisory to him.