He referred to the "isotope farm" which had been started five years
ago at ANL to prepare biosynthetically the drugs that would be used.
Many
labelled compounds were now available, but the interest of the drug ©
companies and physicianshad been slight.
.
Medical research with isotopes
seemed to have been so strongly oriented toward the field of pathological
ailments that the possibilities for these practical diagnostic applica-
tions had received little attention.
However he felt physicians would be,
interested if someone would develop the instruments and techniques.
(Dr.
Libby mentioned that some degree of interest had been shown in the
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products of the isotope farm by Idlly, Abbott, and the American Tobacco
Company, the latter for research purposes.)
Dr, Libby proposed that the Commission get behind this field of
isotope applications and push it.
those from atomic power,
The benefits might be comparable to ~
He suggested that Dr, Manov, of the Office of
Industrial Development, be encouraged to catalyze interest in the field
and to get companies to make instruments available.
There were various questions, particularly as to the reasons. for
thinking that clinical applications would have such widespread importance. As examples, Dr. Libby mentioned:
the determination of blood volumes with
“tritium compounds (the results might differ, in a significant way, from
those determined with sodium); the possible use of labelled sugar for the
diagnosis of diabetes.
Dr. Wigner remarked that Dr. Libby's personal enthusiasm might be the
best agent for kindling interest in the medical profession.
Dr. Rabi
said that the Commission might consider collaborating with the National
Institutes of Health in order to develop the right kind of instruments,