325 



The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self- 

 perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scien- 

 tific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of sci- 

 ence and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon 

 the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, 

 the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal 

 government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Frank Press 

 is president of the National Academy of Sciences. 



The National Academy of Engineering w^as established in 1964, 

 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a paral- 

 lel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its 

 administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with 

 the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising 

 the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering 

 also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, 

 encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior 

 achievements of engineers. Dr. Robert M. White is president of 

 the National Academy of Engineering. 



The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the Na- 

 tional Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members 

 of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters 

 pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under 

 the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by 

 its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal govern- 

 ment and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical 

 care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of 

 the Institute of Medicine. 



The National Research Council was organized by the National 

 Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of 

 science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering 

 knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in 

 accordance with the general policies determined by the Academy, 

 the Council has become the principal operating agency of both 

 the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of 

 Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, 

 and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is 

 administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. 

 Dr. Frank Press and Dr. Robert M. White are chairman and vice- 

 chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council. 



IV 



