Minutes Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine Forty-Seventh Meeting

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AdvisorJr Comit tee for Biology 8: Ye di cine Staff of Division of Biology & ikdicine Shields \Jarre.n, Acting Chairman I Jen dell H. Griffith Palph E. Nus baum

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of the University of Californ.ta at Los Angeles, and Director of the iitomic Energy Project, opened the two-day aes sim of the MVisoq Cod tte e for Biology and Medicine held at the University by introducing D r , FhW B. and thanked them for visit kg the atomic energy project at the University. He spoke of the importance of the project and of its relationship to the D r , Stafford IJarren, Dean of the Eliedical School Dr, Allen extended greetings t o the committee University and the Mical School. the members of the ACBid and the staff of the Division of Biolog;l. and and its reletianship t o the nedicel school. studies concern the use and application of reactor produce3 rE!di?-tion for biomedicd purposes with particular emphasis upon the study and treatment of human cancer; the training of students in radiation therapy and reactor techniques as they relate t o the field of medicine. He spoke on the plans for operating end maintaining a low per water boiler type reactor, together with a building t o house the reactor, adequate for the ccmducting of such activities. Dr. !Jamen presented his staff and thq summized their individual Dr. hzgher follmed by introducing Dr, Stafford lTarren expleined the organizatim of the project He stated that the research

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D r r Th-s Haley, Head of the Azarrdacologlp and T'dcolo& Divisicbl, presented the first review lq stating that his Division is concerned with genera3 toxicology of e s ; cardiovasculak studies; pro teh dem tic n ; dust distribution In rcspiratory tract ; effect of ciliq action on jnhaled substances; prlmanars lsmphatic absorptians; p dic le size determinaticm and bane depsition. D r . Thanas Hennessy followed by spealdng of the rrork of the fiadiohiology Division trhich is investigd&ig effects of ionizing radiation in biosimple molecular systems to st dies on the intact animal. Dr. Hennessy emphasized the studies of the Fdi ~ t i mb ta bol isn Section and the Late Dr. ;fames bad of the Biochemistry Division tsplained its fbc tian s and spoke on the General Iktabolisn and Tracer Synthesis Sections and the work in En- Chemistrg and ms ical Biochemistry. D r . Ralph Nusbaum of the Industrial Hygiene Division included in his remarks the work concerning problems associated with collecting Samples of airborne particulate matter and In studsing samples of particle size and the distribution of such samples. Physics Sectian i s responsible for Safety Regulatians and for popr storage of radioactive materials. proper handling of these nrcterials and of the film badge dosimetry service for project personnel and ard the laboratories. These investigations range from simple studies on He brought out that the Health Also, f o r the instruction 5n the OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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Dr. Benedict Cassen reviewed the work of the Ivledlcal physics Sectian which covers hydro-dynamics t o medicine and biologg on one part and on the other the application of rad h tian physics t o medicine and biology. Dr. Cassen stated this study originated from Dr, Stafford Warren's interest and support in stud ag the pkysiologlcdl effects of air blasts on living systems. Dr,C assen is acting as advisor to Hr. Corsbie in cannecticm with the Test Series and i s becoming fandliar with the Civil Effects Test grmp blast and radiation program. Dr.Gorge Taw oriented the conrmittee ~ 1 1the work of the Colorimetric Dosimetrg Section which is a program trorked out in collaboration with the Chemical Warfare Service and concerns the measurement of radiation with respect t o the diagnosis of radiation bjq. Dr. William S. Beck i n discussing the work of the Hemtology Section centered his remarks on the leucocyte. and leukemic leucocytes. The Pathology Section, headed by D r . Henry C, Upham, works closely with the Gastro Intestinal Section of the Divisi an of Phannacologg and especially t h a t having t o do trith the effect of irradiation on glucose transport across segments of r a t small intestines and the studies of Shay rat preparations. They have been chiefly interested in the comparison of normal Dr. Upham explained various facets of work i n progress> OFFICIAL USE CRUX

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14r* IcSrmit Larsan gave a very h te resting report an the Radio-Ecologg Division, which is composed of the Soil - Elant ILelatiansMps Section, Iktabolic History Section, Eiological Field S u m e y Section, and the Dust and Particulate Sectian. questions concerning a map which represented the last my &e a t UamogOTdo in 1950 presenting the plutonium data an the soil. Dr. Andrew Dardy, Chief of the Itadidlogy Division, and his staff oriented the conmrittee an the medical reactor. operating characteristics of the reactor and said t h a t the contract as written between the AM: and the University of California wauld p r m i t the distributian of short lived iso tops which might be produced as a by-product of the reactor, subject t o Commission regulation and in comgiance with the licensing requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, provided, hovever, that such distribution and use does not interfere with the University research program. Dr. Greenfield presented the plans f o r the building which is t o house the rea&or and said that the cost of the reactor i t s e l f constitutes a very small-not insignificmt--but a relatively small fractian of the total cost of the project. Dr. Greenfield thanlied Dr. Bugher for his encouragement in assisting in obtaining the reactor and stated that without his help the project The cdt tee interjected with Re explained the design and would not have proceeded t o the present poht.

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Tour of UCLA Up& the conc ~ usi mof the oral review of the on atour of the new medical center. thirteen acres of floor space and the buildings cost appr at ely ; The lkdical School covers about The buildings are f'uncticolal as well as attractive. Some of the unique features are the outdoor waiting spaces for out-patients and relatives, the outdoor eating spaces f o r the cafeterias and the functional design of all units assuring a smooth flaw of patients a d materials with maximum usefulness t o patients, students and staff. The Acting Chair mn convened the meeting of the Advisorg Cdt tee for the second day of i t s two day meeting. Biolopv and ikdicine D r . Bugher opened the sessian by discussing the current activities of the Division which included a report on the proposed new medical center a t Brookhven National Laboratory. He stated that the Bureau of the Budget had eliminated from the bdsto be requested of the Congress by the AEC those for the construction of a new medical center a t the Broolshaven Naticmd- Labo ~ t o ~ for, according t o budgetary assumptions, there was t o be no public irorks program for the Fiscd Year, 1956. over this curtailment of funds. The Committee expressed great concern A broad discussion ensued. They felt

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that the present hospital at Broblchatten is a potential f i r e hazard and it i s dangerous t o house patients therein, The facilities are inadequate and mder present conditions, it is difficult to obtain and retain a suitable medical staff. by D r . Doisy, and unanimously approved: -Broolcha-ven National expdiausly as possihle - t h a t new permanent t y p buildings are needed and ire urge that funds be appropriated f o r this purpose." Cantinuing, D r . Bugher spoke on the International Program for the Pemxtime Applications of atomia energy, and ofthe strides made in the advancement ofthe program. told of his acceptance of an Invitatian from the World Health Organization t o attend a meting in Geneva (December, 1954) as a represmtative of the United States t o discuss medical and public health problems, together with representatives from Canada, United IUngdom and Belgium, Dr. hgher spoke on the proposed preparation of the agenda for the Internat id Conference and said that the present a&nda covered pover reactors and isotopes ad that the ap@ications of atomic energy t o biology and medicine had been omitted. be discussed a t the next committee meeting, specifically whether two conferences should be held - m e f o r the reactor program and one for medical and biological applications. He suggested that the problem

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o f DP. Pearson, e t al, brought out the salient acc@ishments of the hpese conference which vas a direct &graAh of the BIICINI incident and a l s o largely out of the visit that Drs, Boss and Donaldsan made in connection with the f i s h problem in Japn. The conference vas jointly sponsored by the Japan Science Council srnd the and was more successful than antic ip ted. of the fact that this group of Americans had trak led so far d had brought s o much information. of o w relationship with Japan had been altered, Tennessee Dr. Bugher roported an the admhistrative problems associatxd with the operation of the research program at the b ivers it y of Tennessee farm at Oali Fidge. reported that D r . Stalrman at the instance of the Division of Biology and Xedfcine had visited the project and reconkelided that 132 should be patient with the University and t r y t o assist them in obtaining a top quality person t o direct the project and t o aontinue it under the management of the University personnel. The committee reviermd the program and activities of thz UCLA program. tendency t o give under-emphasis t o gadgeteering in the electronics field whole than any other, be bdlt up in each one of the individual projects. appcrently less coordinatian of this aspect of the program 88 a He cautioned lest an instrument develop nt section OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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Dr. Failla thought that a t UCU considerable ori ghd it g had been S30TJn In attacking unusual problems in instrJmentsction. k connection with the stuly of the problems peculim t o UCLI, D r . Stern suggested that it might be well t o m g e for an exchange of scientists who have been at IIM: projects or laboratories for several years. rota th g policy might stimulate new thoughts and programs. D r . Bugher is planning t o have the matter explored by the sbff of the It was the sense of the Committee t h a t there i s not any other large POject that has achieved the intiraacy of association vith the University as this project had with t h e University of California at Los Angeles. After the luncheon break EL visit vas m d e t o atomic energy projeots. Interagency Stu3.4. Dr.. Dunham reviewed the report prepared in the of l walt y of p rh cid investimtor Research Division of the Interagency Group studying unclassified research contracts from the standpoint of ''Loyalty of the Principal kvestigator." policy nov in effect a t the Natimal Science Foundation, connection with AEC grants, the committee believed that the present policy shauld be continued - that there should not be a regular name check of principal h vest i gators on unclassified contracts at reputable The committee vas impressed with the

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Report on &&us bye DudlsfrBi$&\$e& ti classified report, dated Gabriel July 1, 1954, on Project -me He explained the cartents of the report whhh included fables and c w s . mittee interjected many questicms pr tin ent to the problem. report in Biophysics Branch files.) Feview of research promsals The Acting C and m y commendations were expressed gestions vhich had been made at Specific information had been Incorpo discussion ensued on the research projects that had been approved during September and October, 1954. talL= on Primates both by the U.S, Public He He .spoke of a planned conference an "Use of Fadiation Effects on Aging." done i n long-term studies whether you use tool o r whether you are thinking strictly In t process or other things that might affect age, ce and the AX. f o r the Studies im ce i s what can beThe goal of the f the natural aging read, e motion made by Dr. Burnett that thq b6 appd was seconded The Acting Chairman presented the draft minutes for consideratioa of * ,the meting held at the

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The C&tbe$ bbhto hold a three day meeting; the first day at the University of liashbq$an i n Seattle, l.Jashingtan, January 13, 1955, and a two day meeting at the Ranford Operatiks Office, Expression of thanks A vote of thanks was expressed toDr. Stafford IIam and his staff for their gracious hos pita it y gid g the conmittee k opportunity of meeting at UCLl and of seeing the medical and went into Ekec kyDr. Stern, seconded QDr, Burnett that Dr. Fallla should be asked t o aerve 8s Chaim of the ACEi t o replace Dr. El* Stalm whose appointment termbated an June 301 1954.. Likewise, upan a motion made by Dr. Stern, sec ded by Dr. 3;uPett and approved unanimously, to have Dr. Shields Warren canthue t o serve as Dr. Failla and Dr. llarren accepted the assignments. D r . Jonas Jergen Christensen was presented. Committee that it uould be wen t o consider other persons a t the w e The Committee approved unanimausly a motion-mzde A discwsian was held on names of persons f o r nominees t o replace Dr. Stalanan. ' The mime of It was the sense of the OFFICIAL USE CNU

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time before a deflnite commihnent'& de. Names oh other n o ~ ~ hee st f i be presented at the Januarg meting. A d 3 ournmsnt The meeting adjaurned a t 530 P. 14. OFFICIAL USE CNLY,