We tend to regard confrontations with the Russians, even in the realm of science, as a gamble. Some of this atmosphere of doubt and misgiving was lightened for those attending the April meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association in Las Vegas, Nev. There, in the spirit of recent endeavors to bring about increased scientific cooperation between the United States and the USSR, two members of the Soviet space program were among the guests representing more than 20 nations.
Dr. Armen Gyurdzhian, a physiologist, and Mr. Ivan Filekin, an engineer, did not participate in the official program. However, Dr. Gyurdzhian made a few remarks during a luncheon meeting, offering condolences on the recent death of W. R. Lovelace, MD, as well as conveying greetings and good wishes to his American colleagues.
This graciousness was even more evident at a press conference arranged for the science news writers covering the meeting. Chaired