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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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UT-AEC Agricultural Research Laboratory 1299 Bethel Valley Road Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37832 Dear Doctor Hall : The Division of Biology and Medicine has now received the formal comments from the participants of the January 19-21, 1966, site review of your laboratory. The criticism and recommendations of the panel, Ifeel, are constructive and to the point. The programs listed below were evaluated by the reviewers as being well conceived and, with few minor suggested improvements, itis. urged they be continued. 1. The proposed swine dose - rate studies, provided a suitable source is made available. (Brown) 2 . The fundamental studies of reproductive development as a basis for observation of radiation effects. (Erickson) 3 . Cytogenetic and chromosomal studies. (Mcfee) 4 . Effects of radiation on fertility and growth performance of beef 5 . Dizygotic twin cattle studies. (Cragle, Stone) 6 ... Physiological effects of radiation on somatic interfaces (Wyckoff) 7 . Work capacity studies in ponies. (Brown) 9 . Species differential and radio sensitivity. (Cons tan tine, Osborne) 10. Influence of en\rironment and end p o i n t s on the assessment of seed
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General recommendations for strengthening.the overall laboratory progress, thereby contributing to a more effective and meaningful scientific effort, are as follows : Salaries should be made fully competitive in order to attract and retain needed scientific and technical personnel, even i f this entails obtaining special dispensation from the University. Every effort should be made to increase the number of visiting would pose no objection, would be to hold symposia on a regular I n the large animal research programs, emphasis should be placed on determining mechanisms and on better quant it ation. The laboratory should concentrate on establishing firm dose - effect relationships in ph y sio pathological studies. All investigators should make greater efforts to become fully aware of the programs at other institutions. this, your staff ir urged to consult the available depth within ORNL to a greater degree. In conjunction with I n order t o observe for deaths and to avoid compromise of herd integrity, the use of herdsmen for off - duty hours should be ins ti tuted. Hire afull - time biometric ian, and require the staff to confer with him i n planning new projects and i n the interpretation of results. Hire afull - time competent radio biologist.I would like to suggest such an individual be named your Associate Director for all animal I urge you to consider seriously these recommendations since subsequent decisions relative to the laboratory ' s budgetary requests will have t o be dependent upon evidence of newstrength inthe program. I realize that this rather formidable list,especially the latter three items, call for not inconsequential expenditures.In order for the laboratory to implement the above recommendations and remain within its approved budget, it will be necessary to effect a substanti al reallocation of monies. It i s suggested that the latter be achieved by rapidly phasing out or terminating the lesser or tenuous programs and those from which little additional information of consequence i s expected t o be obtained. Based upnn the assessments
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of the reviewers, the specific projects which we feel could quickly be brought to termination,without jeopardizing valuable investments i n manpower o r animals, or causing loss of useful, needed information, are thef ol lowing : 1. The animal exposures tothe Health Physics Reactor. 2. Plant physiology studies,since they are tenuous to the other aspects of the plant program. 3.Rat tumorogenesis studies,primarily since they are not consonant with the agriculturally oriented mission of the laboratory. 4. Cutaneous effects of neutron irradiation. 5. Response of the avian embryo to various radioisotopes. (The investigator should return to meaningful endeavors.) 6 . Burro nutrition studies. Other large animal nutrition studies should be reduced toa level appropriate to the degree of effective leadership available. 7.Effects of radiation on lactation in the dairy cow, as most of the pertinent questions have been answered. 8 . Radiocerium toxicity studies. Iam requesting that Major Anderson provide detailed comments, on an individual program basis,for your information and assistance. To give you and your staff the continued benefits of frank appraisal and advice and to assist DBM personnel in evaluating the status and progress of the laboratory,itis my intention to have similar reviews held periodically. Hopefully, Iwill be able to personally attend With best personal regards. Agricultural Research Laboratory Division of Biology and Medicine