Letter to G Dean, Subject: Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine Held Its First Meeting of F.y. 1953 in Washington 9/12-13

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The Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine held its first meeting of F.Y, 1953 in Washington on September I 2 and 13. varied and comprehensive, as you may observe from the copg enclosed. It reflects the vastly increased scope of the biomedical actidties of the Conmission-evidence of the Cods sion fs further recognition of the d e n t of its health and safety responsibilities. are certain ones concerning which we desire to make special comment, The agenda was Developnents in Teletherapy. You may recall that in our last report to you, in June, 1952, it was stated that the C d t t e e endorsed the item in the budget of the Division of Research for the developnent of methods for processing cesium, which, we said, promised to be an extremely useful isotope for therapy, We believe that the Division of Biology and Medicine ahould continue to give vigorous support to the Division of Research in order that the proposed c e s i k separation plant may be realised at an early date. We are concerned, however, lest the letter agreement between Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies and members of the Teletherapy Evaluation Board, composed of representatives of the Southeastern Universities, by which the latter agree to contribute $2500 each to the developnent of cesium teletherapy, be construed as assuring priority to the contributors for cesium sources. It is our opinion that while it is reasonable to give to those who have contributed to this developnent a high priority in the matter of the units themselves, the distribution of the cesium source should be governed by the established policies of the Isotopes Division without regard to whether or not the applicant had contributed to the activities of the Teletherapy It is believed that such a policy is one of effective sappad to the project, at the same time, however, making a clear distinction between the development of an apparatus by the ORINS group and the

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Collection and Measurement of Radioactive Fall-out. We were very favorably impressed with the organization and scientific approach to the problem of detecting, collecting, and analyzing radioactive faJl-out from test nuclear detonations. Dr. Dunning have been and are investing tremendous amounts of time and effort in this program. Certainly the attention and priority given it are justified: the program is indispensable to the Conmission in fulfilling its health and safety responsibilities. In addition, the program provides a wealth of fundamental data on air mass movements,--information of inestimable value to the U. S. Weather Bureau and the Department of It is evident that Mr. Eisenbud and Gabriel Studies. Another dividend of the fall-out studies is the / usefulness of the data in providing an experience factor for the theoretical calculations involved in project Gabriel. For this reason, it would appear advisable to a t the results of future tests before attempting to engage a second group to make an independent study of the problem, particularly in View of the difficulties encountered in finding such a group. undertake,a parallel study of the problem.) stand the Rand Corporation is continuing with their study. (We understand that MIT declined t o In the meantime, we underOverhead Allowance on Off-Site Research Contracts. As you know, the Committee has been interested for some time in the development of a uniform policy on overhead allowance and other admihistrative features of our grant-like contracts with universities and other private research institutions. We were particularly impressed with the following aspects of the problem as it was discussed at the meeting: 1. "hat the principle of joint participation is sound and is easential to the integrity of the university as well as to the rationale of the AEC research program; 2. That the AEC must, in determining whether an increased overhead is indicated, consider the role of the AEC in fostering research, vis-&-vis the role of the Federal Government in financing higher education; 3. That additional facts are needed before a judgment can be made. For example, if an increased overhead allowance had to be absorbed within the present budget, what effect would this have upon the present liberal policy with respect to the purchase of research equipment and the vesting of title thereto in the institution? Future Meetings, Dr. Bugher advised the Committee that he had received an invitation from Mr. D. A. Keys, Chairman of the Project

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Coordinating Committee, Chalk River, Canada, inviting us t o hold a joint meeting in Canada early in the spring. through the Technical Cooperation Branch of t h e Division of Research. We are considering Arrangements for this meeting will be handled The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled t o be held on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, 1952 at Los Alamos, New Mexico, provided those dates are convenient to Mr. Tyler and Dr. Bradbury. Chairman, Advisory Committee Biology and Medicine