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i n the nuclear ticlancer and related rubjectr as an integral part of the Atomic Energy C0ad86i0n18 lutionwide program. It was established i n 1949 as a cooperative undertaking by nine northeastern universities Technology, Pemmylvanir, Rochertar and Yale). Its furiction l e t o carry out fundamental and applied rerearch Among the stated objective8 are: "Study and exploitation of the physical, cliemical, and biological effects of nuclear radiations," and "the u ~ eof nuclear tad8 such as neutrons, charged particles, gamma rap, and isotopic tre c err in a11 branches of scientific research." A program of nuclear medicine is promoted by the Medial ment and dlagnoisia of disease m d i n the elucidation of fundamental biological procctsrer. During 1959 a medical reactor (the first designed for medical ure only) was brought into operation. Rapidly, the research and rervice act : tvi tier are being oriented around thir rpecial facility. It includes application of atomic components i n the treat2. Current Programs and Changes Expected within Ten Years. Byrti1i:zlng radiation rourcas designed for other than medical purposes, preliininary studies have been carried out on newly developed employment of slharply localized rhort-range and short half - life particle Central rmong the newer procedures has been the
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radiation made possible by neutron bombardment of localieed lsotop@s with particular characterirtics. of activity necersarily involve iavestigationa of pr sci re isotope localieotion, kinetics of distribution and redirtributfon, met.bolism of org8nlc compaundr, functions of inorganic compounds, and the effect of excited 8tmr on the 8t ability of large molecular complexes. Advantage I8 rorrght of rpecial e it u at ions applicable t o medical practice, such CLE neutron-capture therapy of glioblaetoao ad ti for mr. For ruch purpomes, advantage I s taken of anatomic81 and phyaiological conditions ruch as the blood-brain barrier situation, 88 w e l l as of particle range and rate of radioactive decay. Researches inherent in thir field A8sochted with the neutron-capture therapy developments are studies of treatment procedures employing pure neutron and pure gamma enoble meaningful aaalysee of the mechaniem of radiotherapeutic action, Other arsociated activity areas made special by availability of the medical reactor are activation (induced radioactivity) analyses and trace element (manganerre, copper, and other) imtettigations. Trltiuarlabeling studies (largely initiated at Brookhaven) have yielded b8ric information about DNA synthesir, chromorome replication, tissue regeneration, durability of rpecialieed cell types, and secretory function. The techniques (including use of carbon-14) have such remarkable poseibililties that many other developments and dlrrcoverier are t o
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Because of interest, technical competence, and particular opportunities asswell as epecial frctlitiee, preliminary attention has been given ito very N g h intenrity (pulre-type) and very low intensity (envii:onmental-type) irradiation. Within the scope of the first ate unique treatment opportunitirr for dealing with cancer and other late effectr, and within that of the latter (rsdioepidemio~) are oppottunitieks to determine the influence of low-level irradiation exposure incrementa to population group8 resulting from general atomic sideration and investigation of the nature of degenerative diaeaser of many typee (arteriosclerosi8, nephrosir, cirrhosis, neoplasia, sterility, anemia, and others). Inherent are potentialities for analytical conBearing in mind the unique facilities, the special competence, and the unusual associations avallable at the Brookhavan Laboratory, it appears necessary to take cognizance of the following: (1) T h a t every effort will be made to discover, utilize, and test therapeutic advantages provided by a medical reactor. (2) That impressions about therapeutic advantages, based on clinical experience, will become advanced ities and advantage, are provided at Brookhaven t h t cannot be duplicated at more than a few locations even if unlimited funds were available.