12
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, December 15, 1967
President Johnson hails accomplishment
Stanford scientists create life in a test tube
STANFORD, Calif. — (UPI) Two scientists announced Thursday they have manufactured a "simple or primitive form of life" in a test tube.
President Johnson immediately hailed the biochemists for having "unlocked a fundamental secret of life."
The President said in Washington the "awesome accomplishment" was one of "the most important news stories you ever read, or your daddy or your grandaddy ever read."
The Stanford University biochemists, noting that there is no one accepted definition of the word "life," said nonetheless that they had succeeded in creating a
No fines this weekend at Lawrence Library
A "free fine" period at the Lawrence Public Library, during which overdue books may be returned with no charges due, is in effect until Monday.
The no-fine period is in conjunction with a pending inventory of the library's holdings to be conducted starting today. The library hopes to facilitate inventory procedures by getting as many overdue materials returned as possible.
The library will be closed from now through Monday. Books may be returned at the book drop in front of the library.
living virus which was capable of reproducing itself.
"There is a wide difference among the attitudes of scientists as to whether viruses are living," said Dr. Arthur Kornberg, a 1959 Nobel Prize winner for duplicating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Kornberg, 49, head of Stanford's department of biochemistry, and Dr. Mehran Goulian, 37, now of the University of Chicago, said their artificially produced virus reproduced itself through two generations and "could have continued to reproduce itself indefinitely."
Nearly 11 years of research went into the historic achievement by Kornberg and Goulian, in collaboration with Dr. Robert L. Sinsheimer of the California Institute of Technology.
The prime life material which they manufactured is that of a pigmy virus which infects bacteria. It is the DNA of the simple life form containing only five or six genes. When put into bacteria, it infected them and reproduced itself.
Kornberg told a news conference the revolutionary discovery could, within 10 years, make it possible to modify genes to produce specific biologic changes in animals and human beings. He said the discovery might also enable scientists to create artificial viruses which would attack and kill cancers.
"Future research should make it possible to supply all the necessary cellular components," Kornberg said. "With reservations I've
ther we have produced a form of life. To a scientist, it doesn't make any difference. We would hesitate to say at a certain point life is breathed into a molecule.
mentioned, it would be fair to say viral DNA is a simple or primitive form of life."
Repeatedly asked whether the discovery was in fact the creation
of life in a test tube, Kornberg
replied:
"To be frank with you, I doubt if Dr. Goulian and myself have ever discussed before today whe-
KU's 4-H doesn't just raise cows
Community service and club fellowship are two main goals proposed by the 12 members of the new Collegiate 4-H club.
The club was started by students who had been active in 4-H clubs in their home towns and wanted to have a college organization that upholds 4-H ideals and goals, said Ernest May, Oberlin sophomore and club president.
"We would like to go a different route with 4-H in college," May said. "Instead of the usual projects, we would like to help the county youngsters as leaders and teachers."
May said the club plans to have a service project and many parties during the year. Club members have volunteered their services as teachers at the Ballard Center in North Lawrence, a community center for underprivileged children and youths.
"Many of these children haven't had what they should in their lives," May said. "We want to teach them things that will be fun and benefit them later in life—things like carpentry, sewing, and cooking."
May said KU's club is being modeled after similar collegiate 4-H clubs in Manhattan, Hays and Emporia. The club hopes to
have some joint activities with the Manhattan club, he said.
May said that although the popular conception of 4-H is one of livestock raising and other farm-related activities, its activities include civil defense, sports, science, and many other types of projects. While the programs follow general guidelines, the individual can structure his own program, he said.
May, an active member of 4-H in his home town, attended the national 4-H convention in Washington, D.C., last spring. He has also been a 4-H delegate to the American Royal and to Camp Miniwanca, Michigan, a leadership camp for outstanding youth.
ERNEST MAY
KU receives grant for larynx study
The National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Blindness of the U.S. Public Health Service has granted KU $18,132 for research into functions of the larynx.
John F. Michel, research associate in the Bureau of Child Research, is project director.
Michel said the study is concerned with how people talk, and how they make sounds when they do talk.
TONIGHT - 8:00 P.M. THE RENEGADES
Sat., Dec. 16 - The Bobby Soul Group
TUES., DEC.19
Starting an up tight holiday week at the Dog . . .
THE RED DOG CHRISTMAS PARTY
with Santa and Lawrence's favorites
The Fabulous Flippers!
Don't Miss It Tuesday the 19th-A Very Festive Occasion
Sat., Dec. 23 Capitol Recording Artist The Mac Truque
IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT THE RED DOG!