-35- 



IV. OTFIER ITEflS 



A. iledical ?.spects of Oceanography 



The medical implications of oceanography are 

 revealed in studies of antibiotics, vitamins, toxins, and 

 pharraaceutically important substances that are extract- 

 able from sea water or from marine organisms; in investi- 

 gations of pc.rasitism and pollution, and in the physiolo- 

 gical activities of diverse marine creatures. Unsolved 

 problems far outaum.ber those that are being attacked. 

 Iledically-oriented work with m.arine forms is handicapped 

 by the general unavailability to medical scientists of 

 space in marine laboratories. Moreover, the equipment, 

 research facilities, supplies anl financial support are 

 generally m-ich less in marine laboratories than in 

 medical schools and research institutes, most of which 

 are located far from the sea. 



B. The national Oceanographic Data Center 



Tlie new national Oceanograph.-.c Data Center, now 

 being organised jointly by the iTavy, the national Science 

 Foundation, the Bureau of Coimnercii-l Fisheries, the 

 Atomic Energy Coiranission and the Coast & Geodetic Survey, 

 can become an important adjunct to the country's basic 

 research effort. This \;ill be possible only if the 

 director is a scientist, capable of recognizing the un- 

 paralleled opportunity for utilizing the accumulated data 

 i^i his ov;n research. The IIODC can then become a major 

 center for basic research. Otherv/ise it will function 

 merely as an archive. If it is guarded by a jealous 

 custodian it v;ill be virtually useless? if its records 

 are available, it will have a value in direct proportion 

 to the ease and speed with which the data are retrieved 

 and disseminated to the scientific community. We suggest 

 that the ITODC develop a "summer fellowship" prograru to 

 encourage direct work with their data by marine scientists 

 with specific problems. 



