Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 2
From: Radioisotope Committee of Clinton llaboratoriee In Re: SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOISOTOPES PRODUCED BY THE EAANHATTBN ENGINEER DIc2"RICT The propdsals directly stated herein without discuesion are derived from the considerations i n the more exhaustive document, ENGIIEEFf DISTRICT" and the subsidiary memoranda attached t o the latter. Both of these documents were orepared by Waldo E. Cohn, n member of the Radioisotope Committee of Clinton Laboratories, a t the direction of t h e Committee. This committee was apDointed by the Director of Clinton Laboratories expressly f o r the study of the problem of radioisotow prociuctfon and distribution and includes those individuals who a r e i n direct charge of the experimental uroduction of radioisotopes e t The specific proposals are divided into four groups, as
Page 3
Shoe radioilsotopes are only produued a t mesent on an e mri mental basis by research and developnent groups within t h e Projec-b, and sinoe suitable facilities for routine madudtion o r for moduct ion in other than mclf’ied forms are not available, we recommend t h a t radioiaotopes be understood t o be available only in the amounts and forms and a t the times mol fled by the r>roducing laboratory, and that this laboratory be regarded as the final authority relative to availability and as to what materials may be exboaed i n the oiles. Sinue the same coups and individuals within the Project who are able t o acroduce radioisotoms in forme suitable for general d is tri - bution are a160 those in whose hands lies the resbonsibllffy for expansion and development of radioisotope production within the Project, we recommend that no commitments be undertaken with regard t o mesent moduction that will hinder o r obstruct their nrogreas in the direction noted and that they be recognized as the authorities relative to the balance of eumly, demand and progresso Since radioisotopes are at this time m’imarily of value in scientific research, which is i n the mblic welfare, and since the Project and its wrsonnel have a definite interest in promoting such research and have a debt t o it, we recommend that radioisotopes moduced by the Project be dlstrilnrted nreferentially t o =search 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 moduction cost (if such can be ascertained). Since industriel or commercial use resulting b publishable research, research use and since it benefit8 over all others, we reconmend that industry or commercial concern f o r of radioisotopes, other than that is less inthe uublic interest than the user over h i s competitors and distribution of radioisotoms t o an non-nublishable work be limited t o those materials of which there is a surplus after a l l research needs are filled and further arranged so as t o s m l y all commting organiSfnce t h e nrofitable and wideswead use and annliaation of radioiaotoms in science will benefit t h e nublic welfare and since it I s the stated aim of this distribution pr0gx-m t o a i d and assf& such use and amlicatfon, we recommend t h a t the distribution of related and necessary 5nformation which will flrther this ah, such as radiochemical techniques, instrumentation and health protection measures, be regarded as an integral part of the distribution nrogram, and that this be tmrsued by all means available, including consultation with and the training of scientific personnel narticibating in the use of redioisotobes.
Page 4
(6) Since there are hazards t o the health and safety of individuals and t h e public in the handling, use and dismsal of radioisotowa, we reoommend that radioieotopes be made available only t o those individuals who uan satisf'y reasonable requbemente 88 t o knowledge and equipment for circumventing these hazards and t h a t such distribution be made onlythrougb and with the knowledge of the institution of which the recipient is a member, s a i d insl;ltution having accepted all moral and legal reetmnaibflity relating t o the use and dimosal of the material by the recipient, and that secondary distribution by the recipient above amount8 explicitly authorized be forbidden, 7) Sfnce the legal remonslbilfties relating t o the u8e of any e w r i - mehtal material i n humans a r e even more stringent than those relating t o other me, we recommend that distribution of radioisotobes f o r use in humans, whether experimental, diagnostic, therapeutic or whatever, be made only after apnroval by comDetent medical advisors and only t o doctore of medicine associated with recognized medical institutions. ( 8 ) Since &plication of effort may be costly in terms of valuable material, we recommend that steps (which may inolude discussion of the relative ccnnwtence of bar all el Investigators, the releaee of information relating t o prior work on the same phenomena done on the Project, atc,) be taken t o avoid mach duplication. (9) Shc e priorities may have t o be assessed9 we re amend t (a) that the principle of maximum benefit, i n the way of scientific result, with minimum material be adopted. (b) that, t o Further the above nrinciple, fundamental research i n the basic nhysical and life sciences be given preference over all other uses, fncludfng the son lied sciences of medicine and engineering. (e) that, t o encourage the develoment of t h e understanding of, the development of methods for, and the ability t o use, radioisoto~es, a certain minimum amount of each available radioisotow be made available t o any investigator or teacher des3ring t o use the material for these ends, and Further, that this amount be the minh remonm t o any qualified request. (d) that needs for continuing sumlies of material for extended research problems be recognized where possible. (e) that, when circumstances of m ~ l ymake necessary a choice among inve~tigatorsof similar phenomena, the choice be made on t h e basis of ability to use the material most effectively, this to be judged by competent and impartial authorities, with the results of such judgement being ccmnmunicated toall interested parties.
Page 5
(Suggested Personnel Pre Liated in Part IV) To effect the above polioy and t o solicit sidesmead surmort and understanding of it, the following arganization is recommended. Thle oolpmittee is t o advim the Manhattan Engineer District on mattere of broad policy (see Part I) and t o gain f o r it a general underatandfng and acceptance of the adopted policies. I t a members ahould be representative of the several major divlsions of pure and applied aoience that a r e interested i n radioisotopes rather than of specific working groups, laboratories or organizations; equitable and widespread geographio reareaentation ahould likewiae be sought,, We recommend that the President of the National Aoademy of . Scienae be requeded t o nominate for Watt an Engineer District appointment such a committee. 2, Allocati on Board This Board I s the agency within the Manhattan Engineer District which prodwes and/or prepares radioactive materials for shipment i n response t o accepted appllmtions. It will receive the specific requests for radioactive materials and will specify shipments in accordance efih these, the production mechanisms and facilities and of the states and quantities i n which radioisotopes can be uroduced and shipbed, well as of the details involved in their handllng and use. This Board meti be in a position t o balance supply and demand and also production and development,, Its members mUet have detailed knowledge of We recommend that the Radioisotope Committee of Clinton Laboratories, w i t h oertain specific additions, (See IV, 3) be appointed as the Allocation Board.
Page 6
W?3group exlats principally t o aid the Allocation Board in the aeseaament of wiorities and reeponsibilities and thus t o ensure equitable and safe diefribution of materiale. advise the Policy Committee if 80 requested. T h i s group should be divided into aeveral w e b , one for each of the acienflf'io fields 3n which radfoisotopse are wed. Each panel should be combaee8 of several active workere in the field mumaanted, ohoaen eo a8 t o @tie geograbhimlly rideepread rewesentation from men rho are close t o the laboratory, olfnic or Dlant. The wincipal ariteria t o be applied in seleoting a member of any field neceesaryto judge th8 application of a co-worker. This requires knowledge by each member of both the men and the methods InvoLved in his epecific field of work. It may also Organic and Physiaal), Biology (Biouhemistry and its subdivisions Radiobiology, eto,), Medicine (aU members t o be Doctors of Medicine and to represent both Raaiobgy and Cli aio al Medicine), and -beering and Industry (partimlarly Chemical), We reoannnend that the Policy Conrrmittee nominate f o r Manhattan Engineer District apdntnmnt Advlacwy Panels aa specified above.
Page 7
Public announcement of the general blan of procedure by the Idanhattan Engineer District should be made. This plan should include the following: 1. The apmintment of the Policy Committee by the Manhattan Engineer District (after nmination as mecified in 11, 1). 2. The amointment of the Advisory Panel by the Manhattan Enginear District (after nomination as specified i n 11, 3) with a statement of tentative policy. 3. The apbointment of the Allocation Board by the Pllanhattan Engineer District (as specified in If, 2). 4. A statement by the Policy Committee t o each member of the Advisory Panel and of a11 other probably intereeted individuals and organizations, both inside and outaide the Manhattan Engineer District, (univereities, societies) asking them, alternatively: a. To submit a statement of views and critiques of t h e Proposed plan and m liq to the Policy Committee, b. To attend an open meethg held by the PoLioy Committee for the mrpose of h n i n g and emhining the Policy. c. To do both the above. 5 . The drawing up of the final statement of policy and D ~ W by the Policy Committee, acceptance of t M a by the Manhattan Engineer District, and distribution of this, wfth a request for all mowsed applicants t o communicate their needs for radioactive material t o the Executive Secretary of the Allocation Board, i n the following manners a. Publication i n ecientiflc jolxrnals of aide distribution. b. Direct form letter to all known interested Parties.
Page 8
1. The Executive Secretary will rmly t o each communication reoeived above by Qeturning t o the writer the following forms: a. Detailed statement of plan, m1Icy and organizational membership for dietrlbution, b e A list of available or potentially available radioisotopes (to be submitted by the Alloation Board). ca Copiee of the apdlioatfon form (see below). d. A statement that materials rill not be shipped for 1-2 month8 t o allow for the reuelpt and organization of all requests. 2. The Executive Secretary will turn over the initial letters of request t o the Allooatlan Board a8 evidence or indication of relative needs, 1. Qualified aaplications n l l l be honored by the Allocation Board without reference t o t h e Advisory Panel if the material is available and the applicetion l e such that no Buob reference is needed. Omen relative mioritiea or references are necessary, the Exearrtive Secretary will send the neceseary information t o selected members of the Advisory Panel who will return it t o him with their oomments and reooarmendations. The Allocation Board will endeavor t o follow these re-endatims. The Exeoutlve Secretary w i 2 l keep all interested bartie8 informed on the vrogress and result of such negotiations. 2. Shipments w i l l . be made dfrectly from the moducfng laboratory (Clinton Laboratories) t o the institution of which the aprAicant is B member, marked t o the attention of the apDUcant. 3. Requests r quir hg additional information will be handled by direct correspondence between the Executive Secretary and the
Page 9
D. The Amlicatton Form A standard andlieation form ehould be nrovided requeeting answers t o the following (either directly or by reference t o an Minimum and maximum a~lountauseful in the problem o r plrObb~18t o be attauked and time interval during whhh It is needed; Form, purity, concentration, solvent required at the Facilities and experience at hand for converting supnlied fonn t o form indicated in (3), if it dif'fers from the Instnrmentstion and experienced personnel available for measurement and for health protection; Methc? of disposal of large amounts or of long-lived Need for continufng supply in the solution of the moblem at hand, and timing of such; Description of propoaed problem and its genesis, including methods t o be used and tyDe of solution sought; Dependence of mopoaed problem upon radioisotope, i n amount Previous experience with radioisotope material o r other eources of comparable nature; Possible alternate sources of material requested, with discussion; Poseibilfty of reclamation and return. material, if such is mu este dj 1. Signature of officier of institution t o the effect that the institution assumes full responsibility for handling after reoeipt and for m 3 t m of containers, Signature of app1:tcant stating his aillingnesa t o abide by decision of Allocation an8 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
Re submit the following Xist6 of individuals from which nominations to these committees oould be made. Vith regard to (I) and (21, the 3.i8tS are exemnlary rather than cumplete and may easily be extended. (1) cmni ttee (numbers not specified) 1 (2) Advisors Panelg (in addition t o any listed above; a large number desired): S. Dan c off, Po Morrison, M. Deutsch, A. Roberta, C.D. Coryell, G.E. Boyd, JOE. Winlard, 88. Burton,
Page 11
Medicine: B.M, Brues, L. He m belman, HoL,Friedell, Leon Jacobsen, Board on Radioisotope Production and Distribution'. 2Unless this Board i s advisoryto bim.