March 25, 1960

MERANDEN
TO: R. CG. Peavey
FROM: @. A. Derbyshire

SUBJECE: Biology Committee Functions and Orgenisation

Discussions between Rartline and Lederberg with the background
of the Committee's deliberations developed the portions of biology in
space thought to be the concern of the Space Science Board, These con-
cerns require some additigual members of the Committee and a reorgani-
sation to provide for adequate coverage. Also discussed was the neces-
sity for adding to the Board membership to give an improved balance
between the physical and the biological.

I. Area of interest

a) Biology experiments which are of significant scientific
value in themselves but which may not be directly related to manned
space flight. Specifically excluded are: studies of ecological
systems, acceleration stress, and engineering of protective systems.

b) Four specific categories currently stand out as of
specific interest:

1. Rxoblology anc. the detection of extraterrestrial
life forma, problems ef sterilizstion and decontamination,
protection of the earth from beck-contamination. (This is
by far the most interesting of the group.)

2. Radiation biology in space - studies of the
effects of the radiations in space on terrestrial orgeniems
and highly organized systems.

3. Environmental biology - studies of the effecta of
the space environment on terrestrial life forms - e.g. the
eero gravity on terrestrial dependent ghythms, the effects
of weightlessness on biological orientation and other ties to
the terrestrial environment.

4. Men's role in space - the objective evaluation of
man's functions as part of an integrated system.

Implicit in these activities is the necessary ground-based back-
ground research and activity which sust either precede or be concurrent
with space experiments. Also of importance is the necessity for pre-
weating stupid experiments that will actually adversely affect the
program and participation by biologists of stature.
c) Instrumentation - those special instruments and
instrument systems that will be required as a means for performance
of experinenta.

TI. Organigetion end Membership

We visualise Gomaittes 11, now renamed Biological Research,
aa the parent or board of directors, with each membar being assigned a
sub-committees task:

Martline and Lederberg as members of a1] sub-committees.

lla - Exobiology,- Lederberg and Francis together with the
old Weatex group.

lld + Radiation biology - OGurtis and Farr (could be
augnented by the bio-astronauts panel of which
Gurtis is also chairman)

llc ~ Environmental biology - need a chairman. Suggestions;
Pittrindrigh, Mastings, Steinbdach.

11d - Man's role in space ~ need a chairman. Suggestions:
Licklider, Lambertson, Fitts, Fann.

In addition recommend that the general instrument coumittes
of the Bosrd be activated and that it include on its roster Scuitt and
MacNichol to represent bio interests.

122. Add to Board

In the opinion of the Committee, the Board membership needs
better balance ~- it is now heavily weighted to the physical sciences.
Meeded is someone in psychology - Fitts?; physiology - Fenn?; Laabertson?;
Steinbach?. This will have to be discussed with Bronk/Berkner, Martline;
moreover, biclogy needs more than two specialists to represent its broad
views.

Random thought: Biologists as a whole sre nct too anxious to give up
their current research interests to go into space related activities.
It may be difficult to get sound scientists to do this. Exceptions
are those noted above who are known to have some interest.