BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DIVISION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00553R000100030001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 9, 2006
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 9, 1999
• Content Type: REPORT

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Biological Sciences Division
In 1963, during the formative phases of the
Office of Research and Development, efforts were
roughly divided into Life Sciences and Physical
Sciences. At that time, there was no divisional
organization. This situation existed, insofar as
Life Sciences was concerned, until June 1965.
Life Sciences efforts were twofold--first,
to carry out required research and development
efforts, and second, to carry on a continuing
program of educating various Agency components
in the ways in which Life Sciences could be used
to exploit the vast potentials of the "living
world" as a complement to Physical Sciences in
the technical aspects of intelligence collection.
The Life Sciences mission as stated at that time
to undertake R&D in the Life Sciences
which will assist the. Agency in the
collection, collation, analysis, and
dissemination of intelligence; to
undertake promising research in sup-
port of other offices of the Agency
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where adequate research capabilities
were nonexistent, with particular
emphasis on efforts which might be
applicable to the problems'of several
Agency components, e.g., measurement
of physiological and psychological
stress.
The initial Life Sciences organization con-
sisted of a Technical Manager reporting directly
to the Deputy Assistant Director of ORD. The
position of Technical Manager was occupied by
from the inception of ORD
until June 1965. During this period, the Life
Sciences unit grew to a working group of twelve
technical officers and support personnel.
Initially, the research and development
program reflected the individual disciplines and
research backgrounds of the original staff scien-
tists recruited.
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In view of the more clearly defined mission
and requirements, and recognizing the need for
facilitating more effective program management,
the Life Sciences program was reorganized in 1965.
Because of the size, diversity, and management com-
plexity of the program, the position of Technical
Manager was abolished and two line organization
Divisions were established. The separation of
personnel and program followed essentially disci-
plinary lines. These two Divisions were titled
Biological Sciences Division, under the direction
of and Medical and Behavioral
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Sciences Division, under the direction of
The Biological Sciences Division was assigned
responsibility for programs
advanced concept feasibility studies.
efforts have evolved in
Significant
design, development, and fabri-
cation; estimation of crop yields and vigor through
photography and weather analysis; and macromolecular
studies. Further details are given in the mono-
graphs entitled Operational Use of Biological Systems,
Remote Crop Yield Determination,
(see Volume IV).
The Biological Sciences Division at the ;present
personnel, with an anticipated growth
1by FY 1970. Its current budget is twice the
initial total budget of the original Life Sciences
organization, for an integrated growth rate of approxi-
matelynpercent a year. It is anticipated that by
FY 1970, another
percent increase increment will
be realized. The fiscal growth of the Division can
be traced as follows:
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Fiscal
Year Amount
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
The personnel roster of the Division included the
following:
During the period 1963-68, numerous research
and development programs were undertaken in support
.of the Agency's interest and requirements. The
diversity of programs reflected the multidiscipline
character of biological sciences as well as the
"common use" application of the research and devel-
opment product. The following program briefs repre-
sent the major programs and achievements of the R&D
effort during the 1963-68 era.
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Personnel Assessment
Stress Measurement: In 1965, BSD
personnel coordinated with the personnel
of the Medical and Behavioral Sciences
Division (MBSD) on the development of
innovative concepts and techniques for
monitoring and measuring physiological
indicators of stress. During this
period, a polygraph data acquisition
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and storage facility was developed,
installed, and made operational. Total
responsibility for stress measurement
and assessment R&D programs was trans-
ferred to MBSD by the end of 1965.
Blood Analysis: In response to a
DDP requirement issued in 1963, BSD
initiated and completed in 1965 the
development of microserological tech-
niques for blood analysis. By the end
of 1965, an operational system had been
developed which required less than one
microliter of blood to perform a com-
plete blood analysis. In a separate
but parallel research program, attempts
to relate an individual's blood profile
to an association with microwave energy
met with little success. This latter
program was also related to the high
interest of the U.S. Government con-
cerning the
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Ad Hoc Activities
During the period 1963-68, BSD responded to
numerous quick-reaction, ad hoc requests from other
Agency components, as well as other Government
agencies. The following is not all-inclusive but
reflects the diversity and responsiveness of the
Biological Sciences Division in addressing these
requests.
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BSD assisted other Government com-
ponents in evaluating research and
development concepts and projects
(continuous activity).
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