BETHESDA 14, MD.

OD/NCI

NATIONAL INSlITUTES OF HEALTH

lel: 6jn-l-

Mrs, Mary W. Lasker
Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation
Chrysler Building
New York 17, New York

Dear Mrs. Lasker:

It is with the deepest regret that I inform
National Cancer Instftute is abolishhg the

June 28, 1962

you that effective June 30, 1962, the
Chemotherapy Board, the Viruses and

Cawer Board, the Field Studies Board, and the various panels which have worked
with these three boards in developing and guiding our programs in chemotherapy,
virology, diagnostic research, biometry, epidemiology, and carcinogenesis.  The
provisions of President Kennedy's memorandum on conflict of interest were such
that it became O~V~OUS that the Cancer Institute, with its large industrial contra&
program, would have to assume responsibility for the review of contract proposals
and could no longer turn to outside advisory groups for this purpose.

Obviously, the Caarrer Institute has to continue to have expert advice on its
programs from nonfederal mientists, and we are developing plans for an alterna-
tive system for obtaining this advice.  At the moment, there is euch an enormous
workload involved in clearances for existing committees and committee members
that it is impossible to aotivate any new committees, but 88 soon a8 the backlog
is cleared up a little, we will develop our alternative plan.  The additional work-
load imposed upon the National Cancer Institute staff in connection with this new
responsibility is very large, and I am sure camut be managed unless we can call
upon our experienced advisors on 811 individual basis to help out with special
problems.  I kmw that I can count on you to help in the interim period while
we are making the changeover.

Finally, may I express my own personal gratitude and that of the entire Cancer
Institute staff for your help in developing these important programs.

Very sherely yours,

Keanethkjl. Endicott, M. D.
     Dimetor
National Cancer Institute

National Cancer I~titute
National InatitUte of Dental Research
Division of Biologics Standard8

National Heart Institute

National Inetitute of Allergy and Infectious DUM

National Idtuh of A&ti@ and Mct.bolic Dtsve
                The cunial Center
           Dividon of Raearch .Service#

National Idtute of Mental Hdtb

National Idtue of Neurobgkd Diresra and BUndnen

Divimon of General Medical Scienca

Divicion of Raearch Granta