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

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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION REPORT ON THE SIXTEENTH MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FQ3 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 1. Attached for the information of the Commission is a letter dated June 27, 1949, from the Chairman of the Advisory Comittee for biology and Medicine reporting on the sixteenth meeting of the Committee in Washington, D.C. on June 11, 1949. 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 will be submitted for Commission consideration at an early date. DISTRIBUTION COPY NO. DISTRIBUTION

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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION U.S. Atomic Energy Commission The sixteenth meeting of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine was held on June 11, 1949, in Washington, D.C. This is to acquaint you with the deliberations of the Committee. Biology, Medicine, and Applied Biophysics is progressing Satisfactorily. W e emphasize. aghln the desirability of AEC support the deficiencies in our knowledge of basic science represents a serious limitation on our more programmatic approach to the problems of radiation. Research in enzyme chemistry, the genetic all basic necessities to our understanding of the problem of There is as yet no clear delineation of the fields of interest in biological and medical research for the Atomic Energy Commission. 'This absence of definition is undoubtedly an impediment to some investigators who might otherwise request ComnisSiOn ' support f o r their research. We suggest that the Division of Biology and Medicine consider-meansby which this problem may be solved.. Perhaps wider dissemination of information about research projects presently supported would be advisable. We have requested the Division to prepare a summary of all research projects that have been approved, according to the field of science represented 80 that we may consider this problem further at our SeptemWe considered the program for foreign distribution of radioactive isotopes and the Committee unanimously approved the followIt is our feeling that the contractual kebearch program in \ aspects of viruses, and cellular biochemistry and physiology are "The Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine has reviewed from the standpoint of biology and medicine the United States Program for the foreign distribution of radioisotopes. It is our understanding that more than 90$ of the shipments thus far sent abroad have been for uses in medical therapy and in scientific research in biology and medicine. We have also considered the suggestions which have been advanced that the uses to which these radioisotopes might be put could possibly be disadvantageous to the security of the Unite& States. "The Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine believes that the foreign radioactive distribution program for diagnosis, therapy and research in biology and medicine is advantageous to the United States and helps in assuring

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the broad scientific progress which is so important to o u r national welfare. The Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine strongly endorses continuation of the foreign dlsThe Deputy Director of the Division of Biology and Mediclne has recently studied the existing and proposed biological, medical, and biophysical programs at Los Alamos. There are several problems which need resolution for a more comprehensive program in this regard. First, a closer connection between the Health Division in the laboratory and $he staff of the Los Alamos Hospital is needed. At present there 1s:pttle real coordination between these activities. However, it ib,not deemed advisable to attempt to place the hospital under -the di.h?&4orl of the University of California, but rather to attempt td develop the hospital as a community enterprise with a Board of Governors from the citizens of Los Alamos. A much more realistic approach to the problems of hospital and clinical administration are needed. We feel that an important point is that of securin& a highly qualified physician to serve a8 Chief of Prbfesstonal Services, as well as a hospital superintendent trained in hospital administration. of the uranium program in the United States;including the mining and processing activities In the Colorado Plbteau. the need for.the Commission to consider the extent of its responsibility in these activities as it is 'apparent that in many of them there are leveqs of injurious agents which exceed those considered to be safe from the health standpoint. The Committee is continuously interested in developments in Ckvll Defense. We are concerned as to the responsibility which the Commission consideres it desirable for us to assume, and would appreciate some clarification in this regard. We are also . concerned with the lack of progress in Civil Defense and the fact that the situation today is little different from that which exist- , ed one year ago. We unanimously recommended that Dr. Warren lnitiate discussions with the General Manager for the purpose of bringing this problem into focus at an early date. We were interested to learn of the industrial health aspects The next meeting of the Advisory Committee for Biolog and Medicine will be held in Washington, September 9 qnd 10, 1919. Alan Gregg, M.D., Chairman Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine