National Academy of Sciences
National Research Council
2101 Constitution Avenue, N. W,
Washington 25, D. C.

DRAFT
--

                 MINUTES
          Joint Meeting of
Committee on Psychological- and Biological Research
                and its
      Sub-Committee on Exobiology

Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

February 29, 1960

Attendance:   Members:  H:I.effer Hsrtline, 3f hairman; Paul Berg;
       Howard J. Curtis; Richard Dav 8; L. E. Farr; Norman
         Horowitz; Joshua Lederberg; E. F. MacNichol; Daniel
       Mazia; Otto H. Schmitt; C. B. Van Niel; G. A. Derbyshire,
        Secretary.

Members Absent:  Thomas Francis; Edward L. Tatum.

Invited Participants:  Sam F. Seeley, NRC-DOD Conxnittec
on Bio-Astronautics; H. Burr Steinbach, Division of
Biology and Agriculture,m.&/flc
                                .


different composition and structure.  Some expansion of the Conrnittee
has occurred, ice,, the formation of the West Coast biology group
of Dr. Lederberg (and his appointment to the Board) and the addition
of Dr. Thomas Francis to the Committee.

    The Chairman noted that the Committee had early expressed
a lack of interest in Project Mercury, had not been requested to
give advice on the program,  and had assumed that advice was not
needed.  He noted, however, that the 1970-80 program indicates the
incorporation of man as a part of the system, and that a thorough study
of man vs.  instrument should now be undertaken.

    The Committee agreed (after considerable discussion) that space
related biology falls into:

(1) Exobiology, i.e. extraterrestrial life, contamination
   and related topics

(2) Radiation biology

     The                      gory is covered by
Dr. Lederberg's group; the second through Drs. Curtis and Parr (in
addition, Dr. Curtis is chairman of the Radiation Biology Panel of the
Bio-Astronautics Committee); Environmental Biology has no repxesentative
on the committee.  Both Pittendrigh and Hastings were mentioned in this
connection.  Dr. Seeley offered the services of the Bio-Astronautics
Panel on Biological Rhythms
was a member of the Panel.

to Dr. Stevens-

for discussion and membership recommendation.

   The Conrnittee recommends this organization to the Space Science
Board, and will, on approval, make the following assignment of its
members.

(1)  Rertline, Lrderherg and Stevens members of all
   sub-committees

(2) Exobiology Sub-Committee        11-A  Lederberg

(3) Radiation Biology Sub-Committee 11-B Curtis/Farr

(4) Environmental Biology Sub-
     Committee

(5) Man's Role in Space

11-c

11-D   Stevens


the Committee's discussions indicated the need

its own specialized group; therefore,  it is recommended that
Dr. Villard's Committee be activated to serve as the focal point
for instrumentation problems and information. It is suggested that
Drs. Schmitt and Mac Nichol would be willing to represent its instru-
mentation needs on the committee.

3.    Other Relevant Topics

3.1 Inform$tion and Conununication

      There was discussion of the need to provide up-to-date
information on many aspects of science to the user in a usable form,
i.e. up-to-date information on radiation biology research results.
Dr. Curtis agreed to provide a working paper discussion of this topic.

3.2 E&ace and Money Available

      It was reported (Davies) that space for biology-experiments
could be available on a Venus fly-by (5000 miles miss distance) being
planned at JPL for 1962.  Great interest was indicated in the temperature
of Venus, in the depth of the atmosphere and some crude map of the
surface features.  Seeley reported that he had been told $3,000,000
was available in NASA for supporting the biology program.

3.3 sigh Altitude Sampling

      It was noted that the Fort Detrick laboratories (Dr. Phillips)
are building devices for biological sampling of the atmosphere at high
altitude.  It was hoped to include these askuests on subsequent
balloon flights,

4.    1960-65 Program
       -.I_

   The biology program as approved by the Cattee is contained
in Attachment A.

5,   . Back-Contamination
       w-1-, ---

without After thorough debate and discussion, the Cormnittee approved
   dissent a resolution for transmittal to the Space Science
Board covr~icg the establishment of an inte+departmental study
committee.  The resolution is contained in Attachment B.

6.   Scientific Aims of Space Research
       --.---.-

   The Committee, without dissent, adopted the Scientific Aims of
Space Research (Attachment C) and moved ita transmittal to the Space
Science Board.


-4-

7*.    Next Meatinns Plans

   On approval of the Committee organiaation
Space Science Board, the sub-coumifteee will be      to convene.
This will provide time for development of biology programs for
inclusion in .the longer-range space science program to be formulated
this fall.

8.    Ad iournment

The Committee adjourned at 5:30 P.M.