Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 1
BACKGROUND MATERIAL FOR COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE FOR DISCUSSION OF THE FUNCTION OF ACBM AT ACBM-CONkfISSION The Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine was established by Chairman Lilientlzal in implementation of the recommendations of the Medical Board of Review. June 30, 1947 by D r . Robert F. Loeb, Chairman. 7Iiese recornendations were transmitted to the Commission There is attached a copy of the full report of the Medical Board of Review which i t is urged be read into to in advance of the meeting. following quotations from the report are particularly relevant : Because advances i n medical and biological knowledge are of vital public advantage, because radioactive materials can be effectively used i n obtaining such knowledge, and because new medical and public health problems are associated with the development of atomic power for both industrial and military purposes, we strongly recommend-that research and training in all aspects of the application of atomic energy t o medical and biological problems Section IS. -The Primary and Exclusive Responsibilities of the Atomic Energy Commission f o r Medical and Biology Research The primary responsibility of the Atomic Energy Commission for medical and biological research is ina sense self - contained,direct and inherent. In control of operations with potentially dangerous materials, the Atomic Energy Commission has heavy responsibilities to its employees and t o any others who could suffer from its negligence orits ignorance. With an absolute monopoly of new and powerful tools f Qr research and important knowledge, the Atomic Energy Commission has obligations to share its qs quis it ions dit h.. the sci eAt if ic world wherever security cons-iderations permit. Section ,IIII( Shared Responsibilities. of ,the Atomic Energy Commission for Medical and Biological Research In contrast to the primary responsibilities of the Atomic Energy Commission for work described i n Section 11, there is a second type of mission should share with other organizations. Here
Page 2
Commission should collaborate,offering the use of its equipment, staff experience,materials such as isotopes, and the services of its staff as teachers,lecturers or consultants. Perhaps the simplest way to present this field of work is t o name the agencies with which the Atomic Energy Commission should be prepared to collaborate in the study of medicine and We recommend the creation of an Advisory Committee for Biology and tothe Commission directly a general policy in the field of research and Organization for Research i n Biology and Medicine inthe Atomic Energy Commission The principal function of this Committee would be t o recommend There is also attached a copy of the letter dated May 7 , 1947 from Mr.Lilienthal to the prospective members of the Board of Review. Finally, there is attached a copy of the letter dated August 6 , 1947 toall prospective members of the ACBM i n which is spelled out the scope, the relationship to the Commission and the background which led to the es tabI ish w nt of a permanent Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine.