Draft Minutes, Meeting of Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine, September 17-18, 1954

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MINUTES, I?EET!JIG OF ADVISURY COMMITTEE FOR BICEOGY AND MEDICINE, D r . Shields Warren, Acting Chairman Dr. Gioacchino Fail la Staff of Division of Biology & Medicine Miss Elizabeth Hower Miss Frame Chrestia Miss Rose Xary Elmo Dr. Warren, acting as Chairman, convened the afternoon session of the 46th meeting of the Advisory Committee for R ology and Medicine held

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laorning scssior. had been devoted t o studying research proposals, reports and classified documents. Dr. Warren asked Dr. Bugher t o introduce 13r. Nathan Hall, a new member of the staff of the Division. Dr. Bugher, in presenting Dr. Hall, replace5I)r. Butts who had retuned to th d university & been closely associated with the problems of G utilization of radioisotopes in agricultural research and Dr. Bugher welcomed YLss France Chrestiq, of the Trogram Analysis Eranch, who had transferred from the Mew York Operations Office-&cdan&La Review of Research Projects .bm approved since Kay was r k d during the morning study period. report on We search projects wkW&ed-

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Dr. Bugher, however, explained the changes that had been made in the format and conter,t of the report on "off-sitenresearch contract proposals. It now includes a summary of each project written by either the invest i - gat& o r by the person particularly responsible for the project. During the discussion of the projects I)r, Fail la raised a question regarding the several projects and he asked asa of patients should be increased - - o r should be maintained atthe same level as a t present. Dr. Warren replied that perhaps a very good time t o present this matter for discussion would be when a meeting is held a t one of the special cancer hospitals at one of the installations where they are deeply concerned with problems of treatment for cancer patients, heDoisy inquired as to the progress that is being made by Dr. Paul Hahn a t t h e Meharry Medical College on the nuse of hadioactive Gold in asked how far this program @imi&tself t o use of gold- \ , A general discussion followed, Dr. Dunham suggested that

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it might be well forDr. Hahn t o move on semewhwqfelseI -&,a'L-- because there is -new that has been developed scientifically since the initial impetus on the project in 19h9. Dr.Fail la brought out that nothing new has cone out of Dr. Hahn's project an likewise there has been Public Health Service had given the p_rbrd school and it had been very well received and the funds were admirxistered fully. It changed the atmosphere of the school. "So I think this might, be takeE into consideration in this case.# In regard t o my about treatment of cancer patients,I think in this instance that it is cui te justified to continue the support for the treatment of patients - for some time a t least. On questions propounded by a. Doisy on t h e increase of the s i z e of the budget for this fiscal year for the University of Utah from $175,776 t o $274,368, Dr. Claus explained that the increase is;rnostlyyused/by the large expense i n developing and raising animals t o have them available at the proper time - planning has t o be done 18 months i n advance i n order t o

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have material of the right age at the right time. Also, as suggested by t h e Committee some exploratory work with strontium i s being done. Dr. Warren followed by saying that in these facilities one i s dealing with plutonium - which i s one of the most difficult things t o handle. There are far more costly precautions that have t o be carried out in this work than in the average sort of research and undertaking. The committee reibrated their previous expressions by saying that the summaries on the projects are extremely useful en light e the s-possible time as tothe work that is progress that is being made thereon1 Dr. lrlarren e-Tressed his thanks tothe staff for having the report prepared i n such an informative and concise manner. The report on Ron-Site Research Contract Proposals (Parts I & 11) i s attached as Appendix A. Statistical trends i n biology i n the biology research program with emphasis placed on t h e data obtained Dr. Green reviewed the statistical trends from the IBM equipment. Formal statements were supplied which explained

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tiis code and the various categories that had been used to classify the projects.Dr. Bugher told of the interest that the Commission asa whole had taken in the statistical data that has been obtained from IEM equipment and how useful it will be t o the controller,especially when material has t o be prepared for the Bureau of the Budget for transmittal to the Review of the budget. Mr. Stanwood briefly described the AEC budget for the fiscal year 195'6. He mentioned the construction program which has an item for presentation tothe Contress of 56.5 million for the Brookhaven Medical Center reactor. iR.t)r $8.0million i n community facilities Mr. Stanwood spoke of the breakdown of thehbudget which would allot $27. million t o the Division of Biology and Medicine.- the Generd Manager's request thata readable approach be given t o the e.* 'budget i n order that it wuh be mare understandable tothe Bureau of the Budget and the Congress, radiation effects oh biological systems,

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$ 9 . million; combating radiation detrimental effects, $3.4 millions; benefic i al application of atomic energy, 57.3 millions; biomedical problems in atomic energy operations, $5.7 millions; radiation equipment development, 31. million; vocational and special training, $60C+W. Current Activities of the Division of Biology & Medicine - Bugher under current activities of the Division was the international The first subject presented by Dr. cooperati* exploitation of the peacetime applications of atomic energy. He spbke of the President's announcement before the United Nations' Assembly k the many different facets of government operation as well as a certain amount of diplomatic participation that would be involved if the President's proposed program i s going-forward. Dr. Bugher explained that the international program would fall into three general categories, (1) reactors, particularly for power production; (2) applications of atomic energy i n medicine; and (3) applications of atomic energy i n biology generally, with particular reference t o He brought out that Mr. Tammaro i s studying these problems presentation t o the Cmmission. Plans are being formulated for an International Conference

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which isto be held the latter part of next year either abroad or in the U. S. t o discuss t h e peacetime uses of atornic energy. In this connection Dr. Bugher reported orally and presented a written statement on his observations concerning a ?an program i n peace time applications of atomic energy a s during his visit to South American countries, He stated that there is a lack of realism in most South American countries w i t h atomic energy programs. The problem therefore is- , _,. of education and growth along lines that are first fundamental and later into more elaborate ramifications, Dr, Bugher's written statement listed several recommendations a s follows: (1) Establish two centers of isotope distribution in South her i cd t o be operated, under the advice and assistance of the Isotopes Division of AEC, by the Pan American Sanitary Bureau. paid, would be delivered t o these centers for distribution. logical selection for the Pacific Coast and Rio de Janeiro for the Atlantic Bulk isotopes, dollars costs (2) Greatly increase the availability in the U.S. of facilities for special study and training of Latin American students. cedures by having the respective U.S. Embassies apply whatever selective criteria are nec ess aq. Eiy keeping this program away from security areas

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and making t h e acceptance of the student dependent on his being granted a visa, apparent U.S. Government inconsistencies on security grounds would be avoided. hl-iile the AEC need make no charge f o r the teaching and use of facilities, the respective countries should provide the travel funds and stipends of their own students as their contribution to this part of the 3. 11-13,l atea conference t o be held this year i n Washington of representatives of all interested American governments for the purpose of consulting on the form and substance of an international cooperative atomic energy program for the area. 4. Encourage an active program in agricultural applications o f atomic energy through scch rneans as duplicating t h e Brookhaven gmma radiation facility in a midtropical region. with existing Point Four activities. This should probably be associated 5. Approach the problem of reactor tech nu o gy by developing a simple low cost device which could be useful in medicd and biological an pli cations at the same tinie serving as a means of teaching the fundamentals of reactor design and operation. number of short half - life isotopes available. Such an arrangement would also make a 6. Consider this program as apart of any other geographical develppment b u t capable of running on its own as well. 7. Note that while the development of agreements and policies must be through the established diplomatic channels, t h e cooperation a t

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the technical level can be quite simple and direct. Careful coordinatiQn with existing program will be necessary. A complete copy of the statement is attached as Appendix B. The committee was greatly interested to learn that the General Manager has suggested t o the Commission that we vigorously promote an international program with special emphasis on biology and medicine which would have as its first base the acceptance of students to this country. Also, enlarge our availability for special training and localities for special training all over this country. Training Programs - Dr. Dunham then told the committee of the preliminary plan for participation by acceptable foreign students and scientists in a program of training and research participation at AEC facilities and institutions under contract with the AEC. In this connection he said that the Division of Reactor Development had been planning are actor training school i n reactor technology and engineering which might begin i n 1955 on a wholly unclassified basis, Also that the Division of Research is planning a radioisotope training course a t Oak Ridge some time next Spring open only to aliens. The contribution of the Division of &lology and r4edicine i s simply a matter of expanding what i s now under way. It is

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felt that ?robably between 135 t o 150 foreign students could be accommodated i n various and sundry tpes of training within the next year, with train - ing in industrial medicine'radiological physics; industrial hygiene 1* er adi ation instruments (theory and uses); post doctoral research i n biology and medicine for outstanding physicians and scientists. Dr. Burnett ir,quired whether the initial iselection would come from the country involved. Dr. Dunham said that the country would select the individual and he explained the d e t a i l s concerning how and where the person would be sent for training! Upon the conclusion of Dr. DunhamIs remarks on the training program I&. Salisbury added some pertinent information de class ui ed publications of the AEC t o foreign countries. Berlin Atomic Fair Mr * h ten hoff spoke of the American exhibit at the Berlin Atomic Fair. He s a i d it follows the general theme of the peaceful usesof atomic energy and it is one of the many t h a t is being sponsored by the USIA. It will include a complete three room hot laboratory fully

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The exhibit is to be shown in eight different cities in Germany and it i s anticipated that one million4 persons will attend in Berlin alone with about one third to one half of these people coming from the East Zone. Plans for Japanese Conference Dr.hg her told of a planned conference to be held in Japan i n November 1954. This conference would be on matters which are essentially those of environmental contamination, particularly 51 the marine field biophysics, and instrunentation permissible limits. It isa non-medical conference. Dr. Boss followed by giving an account of his visit t o Japan with D r . Lauren Donaldson, discussing with various Japanese scientists, marine biologists particularly, various aspects of the problems arising from the spring tests, notably with relation to possible contamination of f i s h and with some discussicns upon the ways i n which we arrive at permissible limits. Out of this series of conferences came the idea for an enlarged conference t o be held in November 1954. Fall-out Operation Castle Dr. Bugher informed the committee o f the continuing problems and developments as result of fall Castle. He paid tribute t o the assistance provided by the staff of the NYOO in

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supplying equipment for surveying the area and of the expedi ious and successful manner i n which the fallout 0- on a Japanese fishing vessel provided the meeting with an interesting narrative regarding the problem. Dr. Claus and Dr. Pearson both spoke on f a l l o u t problems as they concern their respect i - Biophysics and Biology. Follow up Medical Examination of Exposed Population of the Marshal followup medical examination of the exposed population of the Marshall Dr. Bugher reported briefly on the Islands. He reviewed the first medical study and stated that all of the people have recovered.as f a r as objective signs are concerned Ywith the possible exception of very slight skin changes. Comment and Recommendations of of Comt tee concerning Inter - I n connection with the International Program and Dr. Bugher's recommendation as listed previously a broad discussion ensued. After afull consideration and a request for comments on the specific questions the following recommendations were made: the committee unanimously recommended that anything that can be done within the legal limits in the way of facilitating the distribution of isotopes

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.' - . throughout South America should be encouraged; that restrictions imposed by lawor regulation should be kept toa minimum and that the responsibil it y for distribution - once the material. has gone tothe proposed centers should be centered inthe appropriate governmental agency. everything that is possible should be done t o create a sound public relations basis to make available training facilities on a wider and better established basis for those qualified individuals desiring to participate from foreign countries as provided inthe staff paper reported on by b. Dunham (AEC 761). With kegard to the International Scientific c o n yit was recommended that it might be wiser t o work through scientific agencies rather than through government channels. That the problem of having it inthe U.S. should be carefully reviewed by the State Department so that the requirements of the McCarran Act might not inter - fere with the attendance of …