Note by the Secretary, Subject: Report on the Seventeenth Meeting of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine

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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION REPORT ON THE SEXENTEENTH MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ::aote by the Secretary 1. Attached for the information of the Commission is a letter dated October 12, 1949, from the Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine reporting on the seventeenth meeting of the Committee in Washington, D. C. on 2. A draft letter' to the Advisory Committee for Biology .and Medicine, concerning action to be taken by the Commission on the recommendations of the Committee, is being prepared by the Division of Biology and Medicine, and w i l l be submitted for Commission consideration at an early date. Deputy General Manager

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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION The seventeenth meeting of the Advisory Committee for 1 Biology and Medicine was held on Friday and Saturday, September 9, and 10, 1949, in Washington, D. C. All of the members of the Committee were present with the exception of Dr. Alan Gregg, who is interest the Sixth Semiannual Report to the Congress. We feel that the high quality of this report is a real tribute to the individuals who oontributed to it. A review of the research projects which have been approved by the Division of Biology and Medicine since our last meeting stimulated discussion of several aspects of such a program. The Committee is pleased to learn of the progress that is being made in establishing uniform procedures for research contracts. In regard to overhead on projects, we felt that consideration should be given to the increased administrative burden which such project: place on institutions and allowances made for it. scope o f the basic research program was again presented, The is being placed on various phases of research including the work carried on at the national laboratories. suggested for study, Le., the time intensity factor; the exchange ' of energy between the envirxent and the Fell.; the study of the ' i energetics of the metabolic process involved in the exchange of ions In the environment and the interior of the cells; enzyme chemistry; the utilization of our modern knowledge of microwave techniques to develop better o u r information on the kinetics of quantitative histochemistry; study on the exact composit.j$.Lof intracellular fluids and the colloids. These subjects and many bLners in the broad fle-cs were suggested for strengthening of the program. It was our feeling that research in basic sciences is as lmportant and as much a responsibility of the Commission and of the Division of Biology and Medicine as any of the present or planned programs. to Japan wherein he surveyed the activities of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission at Hiroshima, Kure and Nagasaki, Dr. Bowers' Since our last meeting we have read with considerable In furtherance of our discussion at the June meeting the Committee studied a chart which showed the relative emphasis that I program should be broadened. Several important problems were 'r It was the opinion of the Committee that the biophysics very rapid reactions; enzyme reactions to radiation damage; \I: The Deputy Director gave a helpful review of his recent visit

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survey covered all phases of the program including organization studies in hematology, genetics, serology, parasitology, laborator; facilities, construction, housing facilities, etc. Inasmuch as large sums of noney are being expended from Federal funds for this program, we feel that periodic reappraisals are essential. It is our purpfjse to study Dr. Bowers' full report to the Commission before giving our acquiescence to the current program. Dr. Lewis Weed requesting the approval of the Atomic Energy Commission of a plan t o establiah a Board of Commissiwers within the Japanese Natiop.1 Institute of Health that wou1.d havgt a voice Io-ed In principle that the Atomic Bomb CasualtyTheCommisscOmToh should collaborate with the Japanese National Institute, but that it is Dremature to implement definite plans. In no case was the proposed plan consldered to be acceptable. However, they propose to discuss this question at a further meeting before a final recommendation is made. We were pleased to learn that the Civil Defense program I s under the able guidance of Mr. Harry L. Bowman, Professor of Civil Engineering at Drexel Institute of Technolcgy, and that he is working on the material that will be serviceable to the National Security Resources Board in planning their program, Mr. Bowman summarized his recent report on dieaster plans of the Oak Ridge Operations Office, which we underatand is being studied by the Production Division before SUbirJiSSion to the Commission for their In connection with Dr, Bowers' oral report, a letter from In the affairs of tff\ ,At;omic Bomb Casualty Commission was carefully Inasmuch as several of the members 6f the Committee feel that in the near future they will have to retire from the Committee, we discussed a rotating change of the bembership. Both Dr, Hastings and Pr. Beadle have exprestled a desire to resign from the Committee on June 30, 1950. Lots were then drawn for the remaining members and they will retire as follows: Dr. Bronk, 1951; Dr. Goodpasture, 1952; Dr. Wearn, 1953, Dr. Stakman, 1954. Dr, Greggls name was not placed among the group, as we feel it is highly desirable for him to continue as Chairman. It was unanimously agreed that hereafter the policy would be for members to rotate at the rate of one member per year. It was suggested that new niembers be appointed in time to permit their being invited to attend several meetings before the retirement of any member. Dr. Warren is planning to take th'is change in the Committee up with the Commission at an early date. We consIClered the Fellowship Program In light of the recent Congressional hearings and the rider that has been placed in the Atomic Energy Commission Appropriation Act which makes obligatory a full baclg;round F.B.I. clearance for each candidate for an Atomic Energy Commission Fellowship before acceptance.- As a result of the discussions the Committee was unanimous in voicing its opinion that the Fellowship Program should be continued despite the conditions imposed by the present statuti?, They further felt an effort should be made to educate the public in the peacetime applications and the humanitarian aspects of atomic energy as contrasted with the necessary restrictiuns that must be placed on classified work.

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UNC LA SSIF IED Mention might be made of the report of the Medical Board of Review In relation to the Fellowship Program of June 1947 In which it was strongly recommended 'I* * * that insofar as it is compatible with national security, secrecy in the field of biological and medical research be avoided". We believe that if this recommendation had been more widely followed it would have advanced science generally in the unrestricted aspects of atomic energy and attracte9 more young men into the field. . ' In connection with the fellowship program, it was the opinion of the Committee that if an applicant for a fellowship is denied clearance, t e applicant then should be permitted to appear for a hearing in h&',qw behalf procedure will ba workedsbhthsa~isfactorily in the not too distant future whereby this recbmmendation could be placed into effect. We are hopeful that some The members of the Comvittee have sent their specific recommsndations to the Director of the Division setting forth their views on how best to carry forward the Fellowship Program, o u r understanding that Dr. Warren will correlate these letters and forward a statement with h i s recommendations to the General It was the view of the Committee that it would be well to emphasize the peacetime functions of the Commission by giving the open aspects of the meetings of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine to the press. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on November 11 and 12, 1949. Biology and Medicine