1751 



diplomatic management. Logic suggests that this is a necessary 

 conclusion. But when the study Beyond Malthus was first prepared, 

 the issue of population control was (as it still is) primarily personal, 

 familial, and national; its study, however, is increasingly bilateral 

 and even more multilateral — both regional and global. 



The issue of bilateral versus multilateral assistance in food and 

 population balance was dealt with in the study both generally and in 

 respect to a specific problem. As the author, Dr. Nanes, expressed it: 



The inherent advantage of multilateral over bilateral assistance is that the 

 diplomatic profile of the donor is lowered. Motives of the donors are under less 

 suspicion. Another presumed advantage is that recipients may be more likely to 

 contribute substantively to the planning of general programs. If they are involved 

 in the planning, they are more positively committed to the implementation of 

 plans. Burdens of cost can be more widely distributed. Results can be better 

 analyzed on the basis of international comparisons. Contributions to a genuinely 

 global program can be expected to come earlier from those nations which are 

 initially recipients. Some forms of assistance practically demand a global approach. 



For example, Herman Pollack, Director of the Bureau of International Scientific 

 and Technological Affairs, Department of State, has suggested the systematic 

 exchange of germ plasm, a basic ingredient of agricultural development. 



Cooperative exchanges developed by the Department of Agriculture [said 

 Pollack] have been instrumental in providing new germ plasm to widen the 

 breeding base. For example, a variety of hard red wheat was acquired from 

 Turkey resistant to various races of stripe rust. In Montana alone, use of this 

 variety has prevented losses estimated at $2-$3 million annually. Similarly, a 

 tomato variety acquired from South America provides wilt resistance to about 

 100 varieties grown in the United States. In Ohio alone, it is estimated that the 

 wilt resistance gained from this acquisition has saved growers $1 million per 

 year. A peanut variety acquired from South America was planted on 400,000 

 acres annually from 1962 to 1968 and is estimated to have increased production 

 by as much as $9 million annually because of its higher yield. Following an ex- 

 change developed with the Soviet Union, United States corn breeders received an 

 early maturing variety having good stalk quality. This germ plasm is now found 

 in hybrids having an annual value of $500,000 for the seed alone. Many other 

 similar examples in agricutlure could be cited.''* 



Whether it would be more effective to continue the exchange of germ plasm on 

 a low level, based on bilateral contacts, with countries at different levels of 

 technical sophistication, or to mount a global program of germ plasm management, 

 would seem to warrant considerable attention and analysis .^'^ 



ISSUE four: U.S. scientists abroad "^ 



Extensive analysis of present arrangements for sending U.S. 

 scientists aboard on research and educational projects suggests that 

 the bilateral/multilateral dimension is salient. The study observes 

 that in the bilateral exchange programs, "Very little attention is 

 given ... to determining priorities systematically or to relating 

 programs to the objectives of U.S. foreign science and technology as 

 outlined by the Department of State." Accordingly, the study 

 buggested : 



Wider and more public scientific/diplomatic and executive/legislative interfaces 

 seem to be required of all programs to cope with the differences between the means 

 and ends of science and diplomacy, to determine appropriate program priorities, 

 and to correct program inadequacies.'^' 



Particular attention was addressed to the essentially political 

 nature of bilateral agreements for science exchanges. To this character 



'"5 Testimony before Subcommittee on International Cooperation in Science and Space, House Com- 

 mittee on Science and Astronautics, May 18, 1971. Reproduced in State Department Bulletin (June 28, 

 1971), pp. 839-840. 



3«« Nanes, Beyond Malthus: The Food/People Equation, vol. 11, p. 8,')8. 



3S7 Knezo, U.S. Scientists Abroad, vol. II, p. 1022. 



