HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 43The most critical changes will undoubtedly be in the direc
tion of greater emphasis on target (sic) and contract research.
Such changes may be justifiable in terms of social good,
but...the Assemblies may be the only mechanism and force
by which the scientific staff can act to insure that the new
directions are consonant with our professional opinions
as to the best way to achieve our long-term mission of
understanding and curing disease.^38The laboratory chiefs wanted to set up an assembly of the NIMH
and the NINDB intramural research scientists that would resemble
a university faculty organization. It would be known as the Assembly
of Scientists. Such an organization within the government was un
precedented.^39 After discussing with the NIMH and NINDB clinical
branch chiefs some general principles that had evolved from the basic
laboratory chiefs’ discussions, several proposals emerged by early 1958.
Specifically, such an assembly would be voluntary, would operate accord
ing to parliamentary principles, and would be open to all scientists above
a Civil Service GS-11 rank or an Assistant Grade in the Commissioned
Corps.^40 It would have “the authority to discuss and express its view
upon any matter which it deems to be of general interest to the insti
tutes, and the power to make recommendations concerning any such
matters to the appropriate administrative officials at the NIH.”^41
When these principles were brought before the institute directors, they
concurred that the idea had merit and encouraged further exploration
of it. Although the possibility of having an Assembly drawn from the
NIH as a whole was considered, it was thought prudent to explore it
just with participants from the NIMH and the NINDB first. If the
experience were successful, all of the other institutes could then be
brought in to constitute an all-NIH Assembly.^42
NIMH and NINDB scientists met on June 18, 1958, and proposed
the beginning of the Assembly in the fall. The lack of a readily avail
able, successful model to follow, however, prompted Kety to circulate a
pamphlet published by the University of Pennsylvania about the Uni
versity Faculty Senate that had been established there. During the May
1959 meeting, the 75 scientists present nominated in a temporary capacity