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this program is minimal and may require major 

 expenditure in the future. Modern organic 

 analysis equipment is available within the 

 university system, as are professionals com- 

 petent to interpret test results. 



2. A central laboratory equipped for organic analysis 

 could be made available to other state agencies 

 who could utilize this laboratory in lieu of ex- 

 panding their own operations. 



3. While pollution control programs have been in 

 existence for many years, this activity is be- 

 coming of much greater importance to the public 

 each year. Adequate pollution control requires 

 the supporting services of a versatile laboratory 

 capable of meeting rapid changes in technology 

 and pollution identification. For the state to 

 respond to these changes may require significant 

 expenditures for services and equipment. It is 

 possible that some of these expenditures may be 

 duplicated at the university level. 



4. The State of Montana does not presently have a 

 medical school. By locating the Laboratory 

 Division on a university campus, the lab can 

 provide a substitute organization for the rapid 

 dissemination of new methods and research 

 findings into practical application in Montana. 

 While the location of the Laboratory Division 



in Helena does not prevent this type of activity, 

 research and development programs have not been a 

 departmental priority in the past. 



5. Much of the activity of the Laboratory Division, 

 especially the Microbiology Bureau, is directed 

 toward clinical assay work. Many of the routine 

 tests run could be contracted to private labs or 

 accomplished more economically using new computer- 

 ized testing methods now being studied at several 

 units of the university system. This would free 

 the personnel of the Laboratory Division to con- 

 centrate their efforts on areas of overall public 

 health and on reference work. Once again, this 

 sort of program would require a well-equipped and 

 versatile laboratory, along with a library and 

 expertise in supporting areas that can be quickly 

 consulted. 



6. The present curriculxim offered at Montana's major 

 universities is deficient in pre-medical courses 

 required to meet the state's student exchange ob- 

 ligations to the WICHE regional compact. The 

 proposed relocation of the Laboratory Division 

 may allow the host university to give a higher 



