After a brief recess, DR. HARDING vas introduced by DR. SHILLING to
discuss organ systems. This included a discussion of research work
ORGAN
going on concerning blood and blood-forming organs,
immunology, bone metabolism, the endrocrine system,
cataracts and embryology.
DR. CANTRIL raised the question
SYSTEMS
_
as to the wisdom of permitting interest in the vascular
problem to decline and pointed out how little work has
been done on radiation effects with respect to capillaries.
DR. DUNHAM stated that the staff was well aware of an
interest in the problem but that long-shot investigations
in the past had not been productive.
DR. WARREN suggested that a
greater emphasis be placed on GI tract studies with particular emphasis
on intestinal motility, intestinal absorption and therapy of GI tract
injuries. DR. DUNHAM reported that there was a fairly extensive program
on the GI tract at the national laboratories, including Brookhaven and
UCLA, but that perhaps more work should be entouraged outside the
Commission laboratories.
At DR. DUNHAM'S request, MR. MARINELLI reported on studies of irradiation
of the bones.
He stated that there were approximately 4500 patients to
whom had been administered thorotrast and estimated that perhaps 10,000
to 15,000 had maximum permissible concentrations in their skeletons of
thorium and thorium decay products.
He suggested that these patients
should be investigated.
DR. WARREN mentioned that there were from 200
to 250 cases in Denmark which have been followed.
DR. SHILLING next introduced DR. PAUL HENSHAW to discuss the subject of
performance and life shortening.
This included the study of aging with
particular attention to the bone marrow and peripheral
blood.
He spoke of three large contracts dealing with
radiation induced life shortening representing a total
PERFORMANCE
of $173,000.
There are also aging studies progressing
AND LIFE
at five other laboratories. These contracts represent
SHORTENING
about $1 million, all of which does not represent aging
studies alone.
DR. WARREN suggested that in addition to
the thorotrast patients, there were many others receiving
isotopes who should probably be followed.
DR. DUNHAM
referred to many such studies now in progress.
DR. BRUNER was next introduced to discuss research in combatting radiation
damage.
He spoke of bone marrow transplantation in mice, rats, monkeys,
and dogs and then discussed the possible applicability to
man.
DR. WARREN mentioned the forthcoming conference on
RADIATION
bone marrow transplantation to be held at the New England
DAMAGE
Deaconess Hospital at which there would be Biology and
Medicine representation.
DR. BRUNER then discussed new
pharmaceutical compounds being studied for protection
against radiation damage.
He mentioned that more than 150,000 chemicals
had been synthesized and tested.
After a brief discussion of Dr. Bruner's
presentation, the meeting was adjourned for lunch.
cg