Approved For Release 2001/03/07 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0400100013-5 SG1 I SG1A SG1 I Approved For Release 2001/03/07 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0400100013-5 Approved For Releas&-2001/03/07: CIA-RDP96-00787WO0400100013-5 Apri I 2C 17 SG1 I SGFOIA3 Dear SG11 In line with our past discussions on the subject, I have enclosed a recent book of Koestler's and a paperback which, in lay terms, describes certain published work on psychic phenomenon reported mainly by the Soviets. 1 think you will find the former intellectually stimulating and the latter of general interest (particularly as it refers to the belief that the capa- bility to act as a transmitter or receiver can be taught or learned by just about anybody). I would suspect that the material described in the paperback evolved during one or more of the 'honeymoon' periods between particular Soviet regimes. I doubt very much that anything they are presently doing in these areas is being reported. I do think there is a good-to-high probability that they have work underway in such research and if only a small portion of what is in these two publications can be shown to be factual, then it is likely that it is being pursued with vigor. Personally, I have an intuitive feeling (possibly based on my readings on the Russians) that this type of research would hold a very high level of interest for their thought pro- cesses and "gestalt". I am utterly convinced that the intelligence community should be looking objectively, but definitively, at certain aspects of the reported communi- cation phenomenon associated with human biology. I am of the opinion that there is a reasonable prohability that important findings are going to be made in these areas and that the understanding of the mechanisms of know- ledge translation in distance and time between biological systems could have a potentially significant impact ob the country's future defense posture. Perhaps more important is the likely impact on GNP Underlying the entire medical understanding of the biophysics/biocheniistry of the brain appears to be the quite enormous return in a vastly improved optimization of human material: Correctives associated with physical and mental illnes3es; vastly improve6 and highly efficient learning cycles for special groups and children; methods by wMch mechanistic monitoring of the physiological in individuals and/or groups permit markedly enhanced ability to predict action and perforwi@nce from these individuals or groups under the stress of exter- nally applied stimuli. Consider, for example, the most recent figures and projections for the impact of the 'ast decade of space research on GNP. It is estimated that in the per-led 1959-1969, some $2q billion was expended in space research. From this research, some $56 billion was generated in return to the econewy through 1970 and $207 bil'AVOWWF@@ Wa t '~-thi?di~O~~861A.RDP96-00787ROO0400100013-5 dd Approved For RelealdwRO01/03107 : CIA-RDP96-007874VO0400100013-5 SG1 I April 26, 1973 Page 2 What is needed is a major Policy decision by a fundin source to engage in an adequately funded program of long-term (5-10 years duration in human biology. It has to be recognized at the policy-making level that "going in" it is quite unlikely thatin the near term, any earthshaking achieve- ment is going to be made. My own belief is that it might take an absolutely first-class team 3-5 years to-begin to get a grasp of the problem! It is of that magni.tude. Yet, from such a program, there might Very well be a relatively rapid fall- out of highly usable techniques, analyses and 'black boxes' in (new) scientific area of considerable value to the funding source. a By this I mean that while the long-term objectives and the prime vector of the program was a fundamental understanding of human biology, a great deal of significant, and in a sense "fundable", projects could be identified and implemented. If one were to be cynical (and I am not a cynical man, but pride myself on being both pragmatic and compassionate), then one might state simply that, to get the needed science done, a certain degree of practical problem solving for the operational people is both intelligent and desirable. In the same vein, the scientists and their staffs involved in the work must be protected and supported by individuals working for or with the funding establishment who are worldly and knowledgeable as to how the "system" must be manipulated and handled if it is to be a continuing and enthusiastic source of money for the work undertaken. The life sciences are becoming increasingly important and it seems to me, from my limited viewpoint, that you cannot afford to ignore those aspects of of these disciplines of significance or potential significance to your char- ter - the long term strategic inference is too critical. I apologize for the length of this letter which, somehow, got away from me. However, I do want to talk with you some on this subject for I have some ideas as to how one might proceed and an initial cast of characters. Most cordially, Robert P. Gow RPG/br Encl. - Books Approved For Release 2001/03107 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0400100013-5 Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0400100013-5 DEVELCC3 530 Logue Avenue Mountain_View, Calif. 94040 (415) 969 1600 ROBERT P. GOW President Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0400100013-5