ABSTRACT
Understandably, scientific and technical advice to the President has been dominated by advisors expert on issues particularly related to national defense and space technology. This is appropriate, but should not and does not preclude the President's need for scientific and technological advice in the health sciences and related areas. If there is to be excellence in the nation's biomedical research and health-related programs, there is a need for continuity of direction and stability of support. The nature of biomedical research is inherently a long-term enterprise. In developing a health sciences advisory panel for the President, as in other areas, it is preferable to avoid unnecessary proliferation of organizational units operating in the same arena. Advice to the President must be broadly conceived. It must assist the President in translating into the political terms the implications of scientific and technological developments.
