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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDIC IN E-- Note by the Secret ar y-- Attached for&ommission cons ice ration during the week of October 31, 1949, i s ” a j db letter to the Vice-chairman of the Advisory Committee on Biology and Medicine, replying to the report of the seventeenth meeting of the Committee previously circulated
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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION DRAFT LETTER TO VICE-CHAIRMAN, ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. Thank you for your letter of October 12 on the deliberations of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine held on 2. We recognize bhe problems in operating a scientific program such as the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission at overseas areas. 3 *< The Commission will look forward to the Committeels appraisal of 2,:t" ,-~ . / this program and their recommendations as to its future scope and Division of Biology and Medicin2 consideration of the problem by the Advisory Committee and we will keep you informed as to its developments. We would appreciate continuing 4. We are exceedingly sorry to learn that Dr. Beadle and Dr. Hastings are planning to retire from the Committee as of June 30, scientists a s D r . Beadle and Dr, Hastings included on the membership of the Advisory Cormittee for Biology and Medicine. ciate their untiring efforts and invaluable service in furthering the biological and medical programs in atomic energy. It has been a great satisfaction to have such distinguished 5. The Commission appreciates the statements of the Advisory Committee regarding the Fellowship Program. comments on the program from the National Academy of Sciences and hope that they will agree to continue to administer the program. We have requested 6. We shall look forward to receiving subsequent reports of the meetings.of the Committee.
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ATOMIC EIJERGY COMMISSIC REJmTVE TO TILE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Bote by the Secretary. e-.\ The attached statement on the Fellowship Program, approved by the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine at the Committee's meeting on September 9-10, 1949, is circulated by request of the General Manager for the Information of the D ISTRIBUTXOK COPY NO. Deputy General Manager 8
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National security in this age of science is best served by a broad program of education and training of the largest possible number of competent young men and women for research. This tyaining should for most be free of the restrictions Imposed by secrecy, Science will not long thrive in secret because intellectual restraints and taboos hamper the type of probing and wide-ranging thought essential to scientific discovery. Political restrictions do two dangerous things to scientists: alienate them by reason of lack Of freedom of inquiry, which will merely retard progress; or distoFth,their thought processes by orienting them about political pointh bFqe&erence, a process of substituting dogma for truth, deadlybboth to science and tc polity. The secrecy necesaary for defense can be (and is) well and judiciously defined. Education and training should operate primarily outside ita boundary, that the advantages of an atmosphere of utmost freedom may be realized. Imposition of the conditions of F.B.I. clearance of candidates for Atomic Energy Commission Fellowships in Biology and Medic1r.e might easily extend to the imposition of similar requirements for everyone who uses atomic energy in any form for Investigative work. This would reach out into the academic life of private as well as governmental institutions like a blighting hand; for thoughtful men now know how political domination can distort free inquiry into a malignant servant of expediency and A number of outstanding creative thinkers go throligh a "radical" phase in their youth, and there is always danger that liberalism or honest criticism of government will be confused with disloyalty, thus keeping some of the best brains out of the investigate the problems of utilization of atomic energy for constructive and humanitarian purposes. This supply of competent scientists can be provided only by an adequate and well-managed a fellowship program in the field of peacetime uses of atomic energy. It has competence, funds, experience, the vision that can come only from study and experience in this field, and an understanding of methods and objectives in the trairSng of Knowledge of only certain (and secret) aspects of atomic energy can be used to the detrimsnt of our national security. Anyone who has access to secret information must be both loyal There is obvious and urgent need of well-trained men to The Atomic Energy Commission is the best agency for directing The provision of more scientists trained for research and service in scientific, industrial and military fields of atomic energy is a national need, now peculiarly acute in light of the successful atomic explosion in the u.s.S.R. The Atomlc Energy Comnission is obligated to meet it, with or without administrative handicaps, because of its special knowledge an9 responsibilities.
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The Advisory Cornnittee for Biology and Medicine recommends (1) The fellowship program be continued and expanded despite the adverse condition of loyalty clearance of fellows after F.B.I. investigation imposed by the 1950 (2) The Atomic Energy Commission seek modification of the loyalty rider. (3) The Atomic Energy Commission use every opportunity t o emphasize4he differences between restricted and open fields of rese.qrch and development.