163 
January 6, 1971 D» Carleton GAJDUSEK, M.D« 
Date Name 
National Institutes of Health 
Institution 
Questionnaire Contributing to Assessment 
and Recommendations on R/V Alpha Helix 
!• Past accomplishments 
A. How do you assess the value of the Alpha Helix as an instrument for 
aiding modem biology? 
1. Extremely high 2. 3. 4, 5. Very low 
(please encircle one and add comments below) 
B. How effective has the Alpha Helix operation been in relation to its 
mission? 
1. Excellent 2 ^ 3. 4. 5. Poor 
C. How would you evaluate the quality of the scientists and the scientific 
research that has been done on the Alpha Helix programs? 
1. Excellent ^ 3« 4. 3. Poor 
D. How would you appraise the justification of the vessel for the 
operations it has supported, all things considered? 
1. Hell justified 2. ^ 4. 5. Not justified 
11. Future mission 
A. What do you recommend should be the mission of the vessel? 
Providing access and facilities for land-based research only in regions 
where regular commercial seas air transport are not available, and its use 
in ecological studies involving man in such isolated locations. Intensive 
human biology, genetic and medical studies aimed at a few selected isolated 
populations, such as those we have been conducting in New Guinea and 
elsewhere in the Pacific, could be greatly facilitated by the vessel. 
B. How would you evaluate the national need for that fuction? 
1. High 2. 3. 4. 5. Low 
C. What alternative uses of the ship do you believe to be not feasible or 
deslreable? 
Provision of residence transport and housing and laboratory facilities for 
research which can better be done using existing land-based facilities and 
where air and sea transport is commercially available and reliable, as in 
most of New Guinea. 
D. Have you any suggestions for Improving the ship's capability for the 
mission you recommended, or for programs or organizers? 
Including some medical and human biological investigators on all 
expeditions which reach remote, inaccessible human settlements. 
