LANDMARK CONSENSUS STATEMENT ON BIOMEDICAL-RESEARCH SUPPORT IS GREETED BY MIXED REACTIONS - SOME OBSERVERS REGARD THE PLEA TO CONGRESS, SIGNED BY 156 ORGANIZATIONS, AS AN URGENTLY NEEDED DOCUMENT, BUT OTHERS SEE FLAWS IN IT

Supporters of a ''consensus statement'' presented to Congress, advocat ing increased biomedical research funding and endorsed by 156 institut ions, associations, and companies, say the document carries added impa ct because of the diverse sectors of the research community represente d. Some critics, however, contend its influence will be mitigated by t he individual interests represented in the text, while others feel the statement's recommendations are not in the public interest.