Volume 1
The U.S. Government and the future of international medical research : hearings before the Subcommittee on Reorganization and International Organizations of the Committee on Government Operations, United States Senate, eighty-sixth congress, first session ; international health study (pursuant to S. Res. 347, 85th Cong., S. Res. 42, and S. Res. 255, 86th Cong.) July 9 and 16, 1959.
- United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Government Operations
- Date:
- 1960-61
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The U.S. Government and the future of international medical research : hearings before the Subcommittee on Reorganization and International Organizations of the Committee on Government Operations, United States Senate, eighty-sixth congress, first session ; international health study (pursuant to S. Res. 347, 85th Cong., S. Res. 42, and S. Res. 255, 86th Cong.) July 9 and 16, 1959. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![B. STATEMENT BY ARTHUR S. FLEMMING, SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE [Released at conclusion of news conference, Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 30, 1959] The recently concluded visit of Chairman Khrushchev to this country pro- vided an opportunity for a useful exchange of views on the relationships between representatives of the U.S. Government and of the Soviet Union in the field of health. At a meeting on September 26 proposals were discussed for an expansion of the present medical exchange program currently being carried on by the two nations. The U.S. Government was represented by Dr. Leroy EH. Burney, Surgeon Gen- eral of the Public Health Service, members of his staff and of the Department of State, and the Soviet Union by Dr. A. M. Markov, a member of the Collegium ot the Ministry of Public Health of the U.S.S.R. and Dr. V. M. Butrov of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Burney advises me that the discussions were most cordial, and it was apparent that the representatives of both countries were in agreement on the desirability of expanding health exchanges. In addition to the exchange of delegations such as have been carried on under the January 27, 1959, agreement (Lacy-Zaroubin agreement), it was agreed that the Public Health Service and the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Health will consider the following points with a view to further discussions : 1. Top medical scientists of both nations would exchange visits to study methods of organization of research programs. 2. Exchange of scientific and technical information on an accelerated and systematic basis would be undertaken between the two nations in order to identify research trends and significant accomplishments by scientists and health workers in both nations. 3. Specific research projects would be sought which would provide for coor- dinated studies to be carried on according to research plans agreed upon by both countries. 4. Exchanges would be initiated between research scientists to work in the laboratories of both countries in order to familiarize themselves in detail with varying methods of research and to contribute actively to research projects. The meeting between the health representatives of the two nations was held as part of the general discussions on exchange missions undertaken between Mr. G. A. Zhukov, chairman of the Soviet State Committee for Cultural Rela- tions With Foreign Countries and Ambassador William 8S. B. Lacy, of the Department of State. During the visit of Dr. Markov and Dr. Butrov to the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health last Friday, both Dr. Burney and I expressed the hope that the exchange of knowledge and shared experience between the Soviet Union, the United States, and other nations would continue to grow. The association between the scientists and physicians of the two nations that has already taken place has been most useful. American physicians who have visited the Soviet Union, either during the formal exchanges of the past 2 years or as tourists have been warmly received; and we, in turn, have had the pleasure of welcoming a number of Soviet scientists to this country. The hope and the struggle for better health is one of mankind’s oldest con- cerns. It is a concern shared by all nations and ali nations contribute to the total sum of knowledge on how to reduce human suffering and prevent pre- mature death. America owes and acknowledges a great debt to the scientists of the world. Progress in research and in medicine is not the province of any one nation ; and we, as a nation, will continue to benefit materially, as we have in the past, from the discoveries of scientists throughout the world, including, of course, those of the Soviet Union. The discussions of the past 10 days did not deal directly with the World Health Organization of which both the United States and the U.S.S.R. are members. Any discussion of world health problems and any plans for progress, however, must take this 90-member-nation organization into account. The U.S. Government believes that one of the best means of contributing to world health progress is through the World Health Organization. It is also a](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b32183057_0001_0301.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
