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PART VI - BIOLUGY AND MEDICINE One of the most promising horizons of peacetime benefits t o be derived from research on atomic energy is i n the field of biology and medicine. tablished the Washington Division of Biology and Medicine to coordinate the various programs i n this field. Among these are the Codssion-directed research programs being pursued a t the laboratories of the various installations, the assistance being given cancer research a t hospitals, clinics and research centers thronghout the country, and the problem of overcoming the serious shortage of trained personnel. During the quarter, the Commission esResearch in Cds sion Laboratories Each of the Commission's laboratories is pursuing spec id but related research problems i n biology and medicine. A t the Las Alamos Laboratory medical research is centered aromd the synthesis of various vitamins and drugs containing radioactive elements, the experimental production of radiation illness and various methods of treatment, and methods of detecting early A t the Clinton National Laboratory research is keyed primarily t o biology and health physics programs, including the study of devices for detection, the investigation of the disposal of radioactive wastes, and the effect of radiation on The research being conducted at the Argonne National Laboratory relates to the metabolism of fission products, methods of detecting alpha particles, and toxological studies of numerous Still in process of formulation is the biological and medical research program a t the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Much of the work may concern the effect of radiation on various forms of plant life. I n addition t o the actkve research a t the various regional laboratories of the Commission, a number of research projects are being supported at universities and hospitals i n t h e study of biology and medicine in its relation to atomic energy. University is conducting an dns ive research program in biophysics, supported by the Conrmission, and other institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of
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California, and Western Reserve University are intensively enliving body are being studied a t several institutions, example of the benefits to be derived from this program is seen i n the excellent work on blood transfusion methods which was accomplished with radioactive iron. The effects of the various elements on the diverse ways, among them being the contribution of funds to support research projects at reliable medical and educational institutions, the construction of facilities, the furnishing of isotopes, and the provision of financial assistance to the Atomic Casualty Canrmission carrying on studies of exposure cases The development of cancer research is being furthered in During the quarter, funds f o r cancer research were allocated t o Harvard University, the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, California Institute of Technology and the University of California in Berkeley, cidence and types of cancer following a large instantaneous dose of radiation will be furtheredby the fjnancial support t o be given the Atomic Casualty Cds sion for these and other cancer studies being made i n Japan. research and t h e provision of beds for cancer patients at the Cds sion ’ s national la5oratories also were under consideratibn during the quarter. Knuwledge of the inThe free distribution of isotopes f o r cancer More than $6OO,OOO wa8 allocated to the University of Rochester for the construction of a modern building t o be used in training medical, biological and radiological personnel i n after the end of the quarter, which is desimed t o amellorate / t ; . ? f - the present shortage of trained personnel i n the various did- 13 v : t - d ldt3?,. sions of biology and medicine as they r e l a t e to atomic energy, To be administered by the National Research Council, the program will be carried on through the Conanission1s national laboratories, affiliated universities and other civilian institutions, The fellowships will carry stipends, a t the level custom q among v1 -1/ See l e t t e r of Decenber 17, 1947, from the Commission to the co J o i n t Conrmittee outlining the projected cancer research progrom. 9;-
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educational institutions, for one o r more years of training. Three groups of personnel will tie covered: doctors of philosophy in the biological sciences, and a fairly large group of bachelors of science trained in health physics and radiological techniques. Such a training program will not only help supply the personnel needs of the Conmission, but will a l s o provide a reservoir of trained physicians and technicians adequate t o meet a national emergency. doctors of medicine,
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