Attachment B

POLICY RESOLUTION CONCERNING QUARANTINE OF MATERIALS OF

PLANETARY ORIGIN

WHEREAS

The technological capability for roundtrip space missions may
be achieved by this and several other nations within the next
ten to twenty years,

Such return missions from other planets may allow for the
implantation on the earth of organisms whose biological capacities
are at present unknown,

Such organisms may include many types unable to survive on earth,
or having a neutral ecological value, or even of important benefit
to industry, agriculture or medicine; however, they may also
include types that might be seriously deleterious to the health
of economy of man. (Footnote)

The protection of public health and the maintenance of agricultural
quarantines are presently within the jurisdiction of several
national agencies which have had considerable experience and
expert knowledge in dealing with related problems; however, they
have not evidently actively concerned themselves with the
impending problems of planetary quarantine,

Policy on space missions, as it concerns the activities of other
sovereignties and the welfare of all people, must involve our
international relations, In due course, the World Health
Organization will inevitably take an interest in interplanetary
quarantine, and other organs of the United Nations may also

be expected to do so, The United States should take statesmanlike
leadership in such an area, rather than be made to seem to

comply reluctantly with the pressure of external opinion.

The development of sound policy on interplanetary quarantine

has important implications for the planning of future space
missions, On the other hand, present scientific knowledge
limits the reliability of any conclusions, and must be exploited
to the fullest possible extent,

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has primary
operational responsibility for space science and exploration;
however, it cannot be expected to take responsibility for

policy questions primarily concerned with public health.
H. Although one or more decades may elapse before return vehicles
actually can function, considerable time is needed for the
assessment of policy, for planning space missions, and for
intercurrent research,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Space Science Board of the National
Academy of Sciences that the following recommendations be transmitted
to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,

1. That he join with the Surgeon-General of the United States
Public Health Service in establishing an inter-agency committee
on interplanetary quarantine, with representation from such
agencies as National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
the Public Health Service, Department of Agriculture, Department
of Defense (Biological Warfare Defense), Department of Sate,
and others; that this committee be charged with the formulation
and timely review of a national policy on interplanetary
quarantine; and the committee be advised by experts in the
various relevant sciences from within the agencies and from
civil life,

2. That the requisite organization be established within the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to represent it
in the formulation and administration of policy in space biology,
and to develop the research programs that are therefore
urgently needed,

Footnote

While many scientists have already concluded that back-contamination is a
serious and tangible threat, or should be regarded as such until we

can be sure otherwise, others feel that the risks are very small and
should be disregarded.’ Except to report that the magnitude of the

risk is at least controversial, we need not anticipate the further
findings of the committee whose establishment is being recommended
herewith, The main arguments take the following form:

1, Are other planets in fact inhabited by micro-organisms?

The evidence at least for Mars is sufficiently encouraging
to warrant substantial effort in constructing experiments to
detect life there despite great technical difficulties, however,
at least a landing will be required to be sure,

2. Could such organisms grow on earth?

- This cannot be predicted in advance, However, many species
of terrestrial bacteria would grow on Mars, as far as we can
judge by our knowledge of their requirements and of the
environment.
-3-

Could such organisms be harmful to man?
This question elicits the sharpest division of opinion.

Pathogenicity for man on the part of most organisms seems
to require the evolution of very elaborate adaptations to allow
for transmissions from one infected individual to a new host, and
to invade the host tissues despite natural defenses, Microbial
pathogenicity would have evolved only in company with quasi-human
hosts, and even so ,yould be poorly adapted to attack terrestrial
organisms which would be biologically novel for(these pathogens.)

 

 

The counterarguments would be that our natural defenses
against infection represent our own evolved adaptations against
terrestrial bacteria and viruses; they may require the presence
of familiar proteins and carbohydrates to recognize the invading
organisms as foreign, Planetary organisms with a medified—dishnchve
chemistry might not be recognized as foreign, and therefore
not elicit an adequate response, Furthermore, new organisms

might cause serious economic harm even if they are not pathogens
for man,