SESSION | 13 and specialization in tiie more profitable branches of medicine often entera into consideration, So from where Lamsitting, it appears very important that we not only look at and evaluate the long-range effects of nuclear weapons. After all, this has already been done and is recorded in the publica- tions of Dr. Rubert Conard and many others, but, and perhaps more important, we should look very seriously ut the chances of using similar weapons again. Many think at this time, more than 20 years after the bombing of Japan, that we should be able to put before those who are charged with the responsibility of the uses of such weapons, what the consequences of their actions might be. Gentlemen, ! am afraid we are not prepared to do this as yet. Moreover, I feel that this can't be done by the biological or medical profession alone, f[ think this has to come froma reasonable coisensus of opinion ex- preesed by the scientific community, i.e., a community which in- cludes the physicist, engineer, social and natural scientists, both military and civilian, Why? Because now these scientists and engineers compete with cach other for the dollar which supports their individual interest rather than cooperate with each other on an apparently leas profitable and more complicated venture which would be in the common interest. in doing so they are leaving our exposed flanks increasingly vulnerable, How can this interdisciplinary sciertific community attain their goals? I think these conferences in which we participate today could be a beginning. The end-product of these conferences has the potential of showing clearly the urgency of the problem as well as containing sorne basic suggestiona as to howthe problem could be solved, I know that this is an urgent matter and one which will not be solves when discord and distrust prevail in the scientific community. We, as scientists, cannot afford much longer to put self-interests before the Nation's interests, We must grow mature enough to admit that sometimes we may have been wrong; that in science there are no short cuts; that we need each other; and as a group, we must L* able to relate to those who govern us what the lack of certain knowledy> may have as consequences, Then, and only then, c#n those who are now in power make intelligent judgments in assignment of priorities. I hope we are not too late, ET Dr. Frank Fremont-Smith urged me to think of clear-cut justifications for holding these conferences and to be sure to know my assumptions. Well, gentlemen, these are my assumptions: