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jected marine biomedical program. It is believed that present grant-in-aid methods 

 are inadequate to meet our future national oceanographic requirements. 



Industrial management techniques, engineering "know-how," economic data 

 evaluation methods, etc., can be of value in developing procedures for the utiliza- 

 tion Of marine biomedical resources. There is need for further exploration of the 

 manner in which industry, government, and academic institutions can work 

 together in areas of mutual interest. 



THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL MARINE BIOMEDICAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE 



If our national goals are to be achieved, leadership from our national Govern- 

 ment must be forthcoming. It is most urgent that marine biomedicine be rec- 

 ognized by our leaders in Government as a specific disciplinary entity, that our 

 existing deficiencies in this field be clearly understood and that adequate gov- 

 ernmental organizations be provided to deal properly with the subject. It is 

 apparent that some facets of marine biomedicine merit greater attention and 

 fiscal priority than others. 



Since the subject matter is multifaceted and international in scope and comes 

 within the purpose of several Federal agencies, a coordinated approach is highly 

 desirable. It is therefore recommended that a standing Marine Biomedical Co- 

 ordinating Committee (MBCC) be established and that this committee operate 

 under the National Council for Marine Resources and Engineering Development 

 (or its successor — if the present Council should be disbanded) . 



It is further suggested that the membership of this committee include rep- 

 resentatives of the following groups : President's Scientific Advisory Commit- 

 tee, National Council for Marine Resources and Engineering Development (or 

 its successor). Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (Public Health 

 Service, National Institutes of Health), Department of Interior (Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries and Federal Water Pollution Control Administration), 

 National Science Foundation, Environmental Science Service Administration, 

 Department of Commerce, Atomic Energy Commission, Department of State 

 National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Defense (ONR), 

 and a select number of consultant specialists from universities, research insti- 

 tutes, industry, and biological and medical professional societies. 



The purpose of the MBCC would be to establish national goals and to co- 

 ordinate programs of interagency, national, and international importance in 

 the area of marine biomedicine. The MBCC could serve a useful function as a 

 scientific advisory body to the U.S. Congress. The activities of MBCC should 

 be assisted by means of a full-time executive secretary and a clerical staff. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARINE MEDICINE AND PHARMACOLOGY 



The Congress of the United States should be encouraged to establish a National 

 Institute of Marine Medicine and Pharmacology (NIMMP) within the Depart- 

 ment of Health, Education, and Welfare. The institute should be established for 

 the purpose of conducting and supporting marine research with a view to ad- 

 vancing scientific knowledge in marine biochemistry, pharmacology, pharma- 

 cognosy, toxicology, nutrition, microbiology, epidemiology, physiology, taxonomy, 

 ecology, pathology, ethnobiology, bionics and technology as it may relate to the 

 causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and control of physical and mental dis- 

 eases and other impairments of man. The NIMMP should have an advisory 

 council to advise, consult with, and make recommendation to the Surgeon General 

 on matters relating to marine medicine and pharmacology. The institute should 

 be authorized to provide training and instruction, establish traineeships and fel- 

 lowships, and provide research grants to public or other nonprofit institutions. An 

 international exchange of graduate and post-doctoral students should be encour- 

 aged. Numerous land-locked schools and universities are desirous of obtaining ac- 

 cess to marine field facilities. Every attempt should be made to provide access 

 to adequate educational and research facilities for these inland institutions. Edu- 

 cational programs should also be provided for the training of skilled technicians. 

 There is urgent need for more adequate support of educational programs in marine 

 biomedicine. 



THE NEED OF REGIONAL MARINE HEALTH LABORATORIES 



The Public Health Service presently operates three marine health laboratories. 

 These are situated in Washington, Rhode Island, and Alabama. These labora- 

 tories are concerned with the general areas of the health aspects of water pollu- 



