699 



— Is a major publisher of biomedical liferature. WHO ])iiblishes 

 numerous monographs, technical reports, directories and guides, 

 special scientific papers, and six periodicals. The monograi)hs and 

 technical reports often represent, in effect, a world r-cientific or 

 medical consensus. Perhaps more frequently they are the collecti\ e 

 views of international experts which do not necessarily represent 

 the decision or policy of WHO. 



The international reference centers are usually prerexisting insti- 

 tutions designated to function as a part of the WHO network of 

 competent and specialized units. The technical excellence required here 

 may tend to skew the centers towards the developed nations. There are 

 for example, 40 institutions in the United States particii)ating in 

 .support of WHO programs. 



The forty-five or so WHO advisor}' panels and expert committees are 

 also well represented iby the technically advanced nations including, of 

 course, the United States. The effect of this arrangement is that this 

 network of reference centers and the advisory committees — who con- 

 tribute to WHO on a cooperatiAe ( i.e., reimbursable) basis, i-ather than 

 as beneficiaries under its budget — makes for a considerable expansion 

 in the total" WHO apparatus. As advanced technological expertise is 

 being chaiineled into this apparatus by this arnvngement, WHO is 

 able to coordinate and tap a large, global resource of talent and 

 information. 



