Mr. Daniel J. Fink 

 May 27, 1988 

 Page 2 



The Committee recognizes that its recommendations, if implemented, could increase 

 more than twofold the expenditures on life sciences activities. However, if indeed 

 one of our priorities is to place man in outer space under conditions that are safe 

 and yet permit an adequate quality of life and work, we see no alternative to a 

 considerable expansion of the program directed to this end. In our opinion, the recent 

 experience of a Soviet cosmonaut who spent over 300 days in space only highlights 

 the need for well controlled and designed experiments to elucidate further the 

 physiological and psychological effects of prolonged existence in space and to devise 

 and test means to counteract them. 



Although there is a tendency to emphasize manned space flight, we would regard 

 the Mission to Planet Earth or the Biospherics Program also to be of paramount 

 importance in view of the extraordinary manmade threat that promises to seriously 

 and perhaps permanently imperil the ecological balance on Earth. It is through such 

 programs as Biospherics that we can define the problem and approach solutions. 



The Exobiology Program and parts of the program of Gravitational Biology are directed 

 at problems of great intrinsic scientific interest. 



We would further wish to emphasize that, like much of the research conducted by 

 NASA, life sciences research will contribute to scientific knowledge irrespective 

 of its applicability to the specific needs of the space program. 



Finally, I should like to comment upon the importance the Committee placed upon 

 international cooperation. Because of the many other topics addressed in the report, 

 this one may not command the reader's attention to the degree it deserves. The 

 Committee feels that much mutual benefit can be derived from expanding true 

 international cooperation despite the difficulties this may entail. Increased interaction 

 with the U.S.S.R. could be particularly valuable in view of their more extensive 

 experience with man in space for prolonged periods. 



It has been gratifying to observe that, as we have been in the process of developing 

 our report, certain changes have occurred in the Life Sciences program that have 

 anticipated some of our recommendations. Thus, the program is stronger today than 

 it was 18 months ago. 



The Committee is apprci iative of the opportunity to conduct this study. We wish 

 to acknowledge the assistance and cooperation of the scientific community al 

 those Federal agencies involved, and, especially, the NASA Headquarters and field 

 rs, which gave so generously of their time and information. Furthermore, I 

 personally wish to thank the Committee members and the Staff Associates for their 

 extraordinary efforts in making this report possible. 



Respectfully, 



erii k C. Robbrns, M.D. 

 Universin Profe sor Emeritus, 

 Dean Emeritus. School of Medicine 



