Appendix V 
T h‘ e Committee on Genetic Expo rime n tot . > n 
' A SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC UNIONS 
FROM THE CHAIRMAN 0- W J Whelan Biochemistry-UMED PO Box 520875 Miami. Florida 33152 USA 
Phone 305-547-6265 Cable BiOQuimica Miami Tele* 519308 
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC UNIONS 
History 
The International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) is the successor to the 
first truly global association of scientists, the International Research Council, a body 
formed under the auspices of the Allied Powers in 1919 and with membership originally 
restricted to the Allied Powers, certainneutral countries and international Scientific 
Unions. 
The unions themselves represent individual scientific disciplines - chemistry, 
astronomy, geography, pharmacology , etc. Their infrastructure is via the scientists of 
the nations in which that science is in a developed state. Adherence to the union is 
usually via the national academy, as in the U.S., sometimes via the national society for 
that discipline. 
The International Research Council was dissolved in 1931, to be replaced by 
ICSU, an organization now open to scientists from throughout the world. The structure 
of ICSU, with its dual membership of national academies (or research councils) and 
international scientific unions is unique, and provides an effective mechanism for en- 
suring international cooperation in science. 
Composition and Government 
The ICSU of 1977 is an international non-governmental scientific organization 
composed of 18 autonomous international Scientific Unions and more than 60 National 
Members, i.e., academies of science, research councils or similar scientific institutions. 
The General Assemhl y , the highest authority of ICSU, is composed of representa- 
tives of the Scientific Unions, the National Members and the Scientific and National 
Associates. At its biennial meetings, the General Assembly elects officers, ratifies 
the nominations of the Scientific Unions to the General Committee, elects the representa- 
tives of the National Members, approves the creation or dissolution of Committees and 
Commissions, and determines the general policy of the Council. 
The ICSU General Committee meets annually to review the international scientific 
scene, .0 study scientific problems, to encourage and coordinate cooperative activities 
between the Unions and other parts of the Council, and to determine priorities among the 
scientific activities of the Council. The General Committee consists of the Officers, a 
single representative from each of the Member Unions (currently 18) and representatives 
(currently 11) of the National Members. P 
- ihe Executive Board, consisting of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary- 
eneral, the Treasurer, the Past President, and four ordinary members, directs the affairs 
of the Council between sessions of the General Assembly. 
The Council has a Secretariat located in Paris which assists the Secretary- 
General, and the other Officers as necessary, in the administration of the Council. 
(A flowsheet showing the structure of ICSU and its associated bodies is 
omitted here.] 
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