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Memorandum for Information REPORT OF TENTH MEETING OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BIOLOGY AND IdEDICINE, JUNE 11 - 12,1948 1: The attached report by Dr. Alan Gregg is circulated for the information of the Commission, together with a memorandum to the Commission from the General Manager summariiing his actions on Dr. Gregg's report, and a letter from Mr. Llllenthal 2. The Chairman's letter of July 9, 1948, to Dr. Gregg, referred to In his attached letter of July 26J 1948, has been circulated previously in AEC 26/2. DISTRIBUTION COPY NO.
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MEMOMNDUM TO: Carroll L. Wilson, General Manager FROM: Alan Gregg, Chairman, Advisory Committee for SUBJECT: Report of June 11-12, 1948 Meeting of the Biology and Medicine, Atomic Energy Commission Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine, at Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago The Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine had its meeting at the Argonne National Laboratory on June 11 and 12, acting upon a variety of matters of interest to you. The Committee noted with satisfaction the development of the Fellowship Training Program and feels that this will be a major step in the provision of much needed personnel. 'The Abgonne programs in Biology, Medicine and Applied BioPhysics were reviewed and found to be operating in satisfactory fashion. The initial plans for the Cancer Unit at the Argoiine National Laboratory and the University of Chicago were fully discussed and approved. ' mission was continued and it is apparent that a good deal of emphasis is placed on the proposed prograin on matters of secondary interest, such as the advancement f o r pttblic health among the Japanese and the establishment of a demonstration center in the field of medlcine. It was felt that the program emphasized too detailed studies of too few cases and that a broader range of study covering a Considerable number of cases in somewhat less detail would not only be more desirable but less expensive . than the program presented by Dr. Owen. The genetic part of the program which we believe to be the most Important in the long run is the least expensive. Consequently, it is recommended that the budget of the Atomic Casualty Commission not exceed $1,850,000 for 1948-49, and $1,800,000 for 1950. Furthermore, . it is felt that the Atomic Casualty Commission should make every effort to utilize such service as the Armed Forces may be able to make available to them. There was extensive discussion of radiological warfare and it was felt desirable that the broad subject of radiological of harmful speculation of RW in the lay press by individuals without proper qualifications, and it is felt desirable that the subject should be sufficiently declassified to reassure the .public of the fact that the problem of RW is receiving a sufficient degree of attention to warrant the confidence of the public. The problem of isotope farming was discussed and it was felt that the work begun by Dr. Libbey on a small scale should be continued and that isotope farms on a small scale should be developed both at the Argonne National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The discussion of the budget for the Atomic Casualty Com- . warfare be declassified. There has been a considerable amount
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The Committee noted with satisfaction the excellent effects on the free distribution of P32, I bution of isotopes for cancer research, diagnosis and therapy be extended as rapidly as is administratively feasible, with special priority being given to Cobalt 60. It was felt that some emphasis should be given to the agricultural aspects of biology at the Argonne National Laboratory, as this is located in one of the areas where field crops are of major importance. The next meeting of the Committee is planned for September and NA for ALLAN GREGG, Chairman Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine
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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION TO: The Commission FROM: Carroll L. Wilson, General Manager SUBJECT: REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE AT ITS JUNE 11 and 12, 1948 MEETING I The attached letter reports the activities of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine during its meetings on June 11 and 12 at the Argonne National Laboratory. of the Argonne National Laboratory and considered the programs in biology, medicine and biophysics as reviewed in the laboratories. office of the ceiling of $1,850,000for 1948-1949 and $1,800,000 Casualty Commission at its next meeting. fication Branch are being consulted in regard to the declassification of the subject, Radiological Warfare. The proposal in regard to isotope farming has been initiated by Dr. Libby at the Argonne National Laboratory and a meeting will be held on Monday, July 19, 1948, at which preliminary findings will be discussed. The recommendation in regard to free distribution of Cobalt 60 for cancer research and therapy will be implemented as soon as The agricultural aspects of biology will receive increasing attention at the Argonne National Laboratory, and a conference has been arranged with representatives of that Laboratory to facilitate this work. On June 11, the Committee inspected the various facilities The Atomic Casualty Commission has been notified by this This budgetary level will be reviewed by the Atomic The Study Panel on Radiological Warfare and the Declassi-
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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Dear Dootor Gregg: Your 1etter.of June 29 to Carroll Wilson reporting on the meeting of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine held at the Argonne National Laboratory on June 11 and 12 has been extremely helpful to the Commission. which are being made by the Advisory Committee, and the recommendations contained in your report are very valuable. As another chapter to my letter of July 9, 1948 to you, I should like you to know what actions the Commission has under way to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Conunittee. The attached report of the General Manager will inform you of additional Commission actions not covered in my earlier letter. We are conscious of the fine contributions to the program UNITED STATZS ATOMIC ENERGY Director for Medical Sciences New York, New York