Draft Minutes Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine Third Meeting Held at Atomic Energy Commission Building, Washington D C, November 7, 1947 (AEC-Acbm 3 Draft)

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Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine The third meeting o f the Advisory Committee for the Division of Biology and Medicine o f the Atomic Energy Commission was convened by the Chairman, Dr. Alan Gregg, at 9:30 & M o t November 7, 1947, i n Room 213 at the Commission Building i n Washington, D. C, Present at the meetipg were; Dr, Alan Members o f the Commission and.its staff who were present Medical Director e Division of Bio lo ~and Medic$ne-- The recommendation approved at the meeting on October 11, 1947, which read! “That the Commission gecure the services of Dr, Warren f o r two months o r longer and following that period the question of an alternative apDointment not be left completelyin abeyance i n the event Dr. Warren does qo t desire to accept the appointment.”, wae altered to read: “llhat,the Commission seoure the services of Dr, Warren for two months o r longer and during that period the quostion of a permanent

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amo in t mant not be left comIete1y i n abeyance. Hastings moved that t h i s Elterod motion be accepted. seconded i t and it was approved unaninously. Discussion o f Research Projects Supported by Atonic Energy Conmission - Dr. Shields Varren presented a brief outline of the activities at the various regional laboratories and at the research centers suppQrted by the Atomic Energy Conmission the fields of bio log, medicine and health physics. These include'da broad research prog rm on hazards end a hospital medicd care progrm at Lo8 W240s; projected construction research on tissue response t o radiation at the University California, Los Angelcs.under Dr, Stafford Warren: at , t h e University. o f California, Berkeley, work i n health physics general radiation effects; biological surveys and work i n hedth physics a t the Olinton LFiboratories; an active program at the Monsanto Chemical Company, Dayton, Ohio; studies on radiation effects at Western Reserve University; studies on the biological effects of alpha particles at the Argonne National Laboratory; and studies i n health pbysics l n ' the New York progress of .these activities be accepted and approved. Dr, Bastings moved that the reported Wearn seconded and i t was approved unanimously. the Atomic Energy Comiss'lon.

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of justification of the expenditure of funds at this institution for a building t q be used for research and training in the medical aspects nf atomic energy was discussed at considerable B%C length. The question asto whether the policy should be t o centralize activities at several such locations or to distribute fwds among a large group of institut io qs was considered, Dr. Hastings, Dr, Beadle, and Dr. Wean were appointed members ofa subaommittee t o frame-a motion regarding pcllcy in this matter. It was recalled that gq active pregram now exists at &Chester, well qualified to meet existing needs provided @ace i s made available, and that there 1s considerable urgency for trabi ng of pergoanel in this field. quently reported and Dr. Hastings moved that: ' "The Advisory Cowittee on Biclogy and Medicine reaffirms strongly the need fora broad train - ing'program in the field of the applications af atomic energy t o biology and medicine, As a step i n neetlng the urgent aeed.for trafned personnel, the Connittee recommends support of ~ the existing program at the University of Rochester and the expansion proposal including the appropriation af a sum suffiaiept t m furnish physical facilities, insofar as they- are necessary The notion was Fjeconded by Dr, Beadle and it was approved 'is being for dated by the ataff of the Brookhaven National Laborateries, and that facilities will be furaished for studiee.

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with certain types of hot and short-lived isotopes, the chain rezcting pile, the betatron and linear accelerator. Hastings moved that the 1948 budget for the department3 of biology and medicine at the Brookhaven National Laboratories be recommended f o r approval. motion w a s carried unanirpously. 1949 budget for the departments of bio log and medicine at the Brookhaven National Laborator$es 'be recowended for Dr. Gregg seconded and the Dr. Wearn moved that the Dr* Gregg seconded and the motion was carried for 1948 and $542,000 for 2949 be approved for the construction of a radio 'biologic laboratory t o wrry out research i n relation to a new experimental animal farm at th3.s install a - Tbis would include the effects of fission products and Dr. Stakman seconded and it w a s carried OFFICE OF NAVAL XE S ARCH - Dr, varren stated that the Office of ETavd. &search has a nuq'ber of research projects, one group intimately concerned with radiation effects and. the other with the use of isotopes as R tool in general planning thia budget that. theso projects would fall wder Through a mivm4erstan6+ing, i t was felt 'by those

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the Atoaic Energy Act and, accordingly, more funds a r e , required for their continuance. Dr. Warren recomuended that funds up t o $800,000 for the projects in both groups approved. Dr. Wearn seconded. Although these projects had already been screened by Office of Naval Research, they were re-screened by the Advisory Committee, f o r Biology and Dr. Staknan moved that the recommendation be Ing from voting on the Mak d University project, and Dr. -The proposal, made through Offi'co of Naval qesearch, that $200,000 be nade available t o the Memorial Bo?pital f o r the construction of a bgtatron, was thorwghty considered. Comnittee diq not fe'el competent t o pass on the desisability hmen National Laboratory t d t h its. betatron and other types of specialized radiation equipncnt t o the Menoyid Hospital, reconvended that this it en not be approved.

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Colw-bia University for sufficient funds for the construction of a building for research and tw ching in atonic energy as applied t o biology ,and nedicino was considered. I n view of the fact. that ;In active progrnm i s well establi shed at Rochester ,and the two institutions arc i n the sane geographical region, it was rcconnended that this ' r e - quest not bo approved, Inquiry i s t o be nado if thoro aro ony ways, other thm construction, which would facilitate toaohing m d rosonrch intu8 dopartncnt. it m d it was carried unoninously. that he had recoivod fron Dr. Rawson, of Boston; Massachusotts, a request for an ,mnuaI. grant of $30,000 for the study o f thyroid function with rndlioactlvo Isotopes and a 'study o f the biological offects of radiation with radio-iodino. .of the lack of tine for investigating and bu Qe ting thie' request, itwas docided th st it bo hold i n aboynnce until nor0 dot nils havo been gatheroh

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Dr,Hcmm Pcarsc, Tbchester, New York,fora grant of $26,780 forn tw-year stuav of cq cr inen tal flash burns and chim,?cs i n netabolisa brought about by then was presented. . The experience of Dr. Pearse in stu wing Japanese atonic binb survivors particularly qualifies him for this work. Funds f o r such work were a1rexd.T available under the genorhl grant t o the University o f &chesterr irainiw in the Anied Services mci policies alreafiy establi shod lg tho Atonic korgy Conniss1,on Wa6 then discussed, Major Dmcr roported that during t h e active dpys of the Mmhattnn Projcct, 375 nc n icd of fic or s wore trained. I in various phase8 o f atonic energy, especially from the mili - tary aspectq mrl of that nunbcr, 168 aro still in eervice. It vas' aated that the Arny prosents each nonth EL five-day ' cour so on tho ocd lcd aspects of atonic oxplosion. I n addition, there m e six Arnod Services nodical officers assigned t o tho Atonic Enor= Comnission instisllntione. ,Dr. Philip Powers, Director o f the Division o f Scientific Personnel, then Nscussci! the training progrm at the Oak

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Riilge Institution for Nuclear Studies as an exanple of the menues which are being explored f o r personnel trainiag. He stated that the program in this institution includes: (1) On the job training f o r professional personnel; (2) Instruction for enployees; (3) ~n oE ort unity for research work at the laboratory for graduate students fron other in st ltu ti oae ; (4) Instruction for employees from industrial. concerns not directly wQrking with atonic energy; (5) Train - ingin the technique of handling radioactive isotopes. Drr Warren recomendeh that support be granted for the continuation of a research project on wmim at the Univers it y of Tennessee, be allocated for this work and Dr, St+@ seconded the notion. It was amroved unanimously, a. Beadle qoved that a sun of $15,000 mes tion of Relption of Area, f4mager t o Division. dffZce .in ReRard t o Research Projects - The eonnittee enphaaized that research projects that apply to over dl QbjeCt$V06 Of the Cow is sion shoulcl be approved through . .the Office of the Division at Washington, prior to pegotiation of contracts by the Area 14a?lagers while subcontracts o f a pureJ.y $ocal significance could be a7proved by the me a office with prompt notification of tho.DivisiQn Offices.

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since the disastrous f i r e at Bear Earbor, ldaine, the Atonic Energy Connission has offered t o Dr. 'Clarence S it tle, Chisf Laboratories of the Jackson Menorial Laboratories, facilities at the Br-ookhaven National Laboratories for their work. t o include laboratories for cancer research, anlnal. quRrterS and living quarters for key personnel. allocated fron the Cancer Reeearch appropriation for conPersian of-buiPdings a d equfpnent a t Brookbaveg for the Use of the staff of the Jackson Memorial Gabomtories, Hastings noved approval. was carri dd unanimously. Dr, Wearn seconded, and t h e motion that $75,000 of the t o t a l of $300,000 allocated from tho Atonic Enorgy Conmiasion be transferred from the Cancer Research fund t o suppor't the work o f this Comisslon. He Conmission noted that inportant contributions i n the fdeld of genetics, and Qther departments, are expected from this Cornittee, Dr, Hastings noved that the recowendation be approved. Dr. Beadle seconded, and it .was carried unaninmsly. .&diosctive Isotopes Dr. Warren recommended that a of $1Q0,000 be made fivailabl,e fron the appropriation for .Radioactive I so topes caqoe~?researcb t o cover the cost o f supplying rsd$oactive

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isotopes free, f.o.b,, Clir.ton Lalorntories for contractors and investigators i n cincer research who are considered qualified by the Isotope Distribution Committee. Dr. Stakinan move2 that this recoxmendation b e approved. Hastings seconCed and itwas carried unanimously. Cpncer Beds at Regional Laboratories - Dr, lfarren laboratories 'patiepts at t h e regional l&oratorles. It was decided that recomendee t h a t a sum of $500,000 be allocated from the cancer approprtation for the support of free beds for cancer before ' thls recomaendation i s acted upon, conferences should be held with the'Dircctors of these lat oratories and the opportunities available reported upon. \ Uni-vcrsity of Cdi for nh, Eerkeley - A letter was read University of from %, Robert Stone at the Radiation Institute ' roque sting ' . funds for cancer research. It was decided that further isg funds f o r cancer research at the Institution. It was noted that thLs work hac? al'rendy been supported, at l e a s t In p e r t , by tho Atonic Energy Comnission through Its grant t o the Office of NavPl Pesenrch t o the extent o f $139,000 as ' recommended by thts connittee at this neeting. action was not deemed ctdvisable at this tine.

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at bos Alamos Beryl li w Ep-zp.rds - Dr. Warren reconmended that a iun be declassified. Dr. Staknm noved approval of t h i s notion, Dr, Beadle seconded and it was carried unanimously. secret publication on hazards i n the use o f beryllInfornation with ReFard t o the Work of the Atonic Warren discussed at some l,en,gth the progress .of the Atomic CasueJty Connittee in initiating a long-tern progrm for bheir studies. He reported that the project Will use two. conjunction with EUroshina a d Nagasski and A suitable ' building has beon acquired I n Hiroshisa. I ported t-ht %. Franklin Mafiean, University of Chicago, is considering favorakly the appointment as I.ledlcal, Director at Los klanos. Policy on Insurance Claims - Dr, Warren stated that he further recormended that the previous policy i n handlfng such. claims be continued and tht,in addition, suitable ned icd consultmbs be appointed fron vRrious Gections of the country . t o advise i n regard t o cases i n which a claim has been Pr. Hastings moved acceptmce of this recowendxiDr. Ffearn seconded -6 i t was approvod unaninously. Information Meeting on Biology and Medicine at O a k. . pi&? - I t was announced tht o throe day meeting on selected

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-subjects including Berylliu-, poisoning, effects of slow and fast neutrons pad an i s planned for the first the travel expenses will oyen neeting on radiation genetics week i n February at the Oak RiOge people will attend the-meeting a d be net from the funds o f the Clinton Focation o f Further Neetings - Dr, Warren emphasized the adv.mtages of having the Conmittee meet at the m.rious regiona l 1aboratori.es and, accordingly,, it was decided t&t the . next meeting wou$d convene on Decenber 12 end 13 at oak ?lee, . fjewis E. Weed adiiressed t o Mr. Lilienthal which voiced the opinion- of the Committee on Growth that afr d ning progran i n the use of radloactlve isotopes, health physics, and allied fields was highly desirable, Dr; Warren outlJned an overfill training progran i n Biology and I4edicine which (I) 250 Doctors of Medicine from the Interne-Resident group and 125 Doctors of Philo sq hy in.Biology, Biochantstry and Biophysics, for training for two years i n Physics and Mophysics with a stipend o f $3500 for unmarried persons and $4500 if nwried. (2) 1000 Bachelors of Science i n $&neering Chemistry

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health &sics with R stipend o f $2000 fol‘ unmarried persons (3) Consideration was given t o the establishnent of a s n ~ i lgroup of hip$ school graduates t o be supported through college and postgraduate training. Dr. Hastings noved that this progrm be apprpved i n principle. Discussion o f ’ the V due of Fubliclty: - 3,. Gre g 41scussed the problen of ‘fhmiliariking the Anerican publ-ic, including the ne?dcal profession, with the fls4dRnental.s of atonic energy, nuclear physics and allied fields. The neeting adjourned at 4135 P.M.