Biologics Regulation and ResearchThe People and Work of Buildings 29 & 29A

James O. Gesling joined the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1956 when he graduated from Northwest Missouri State College. Initially, he was an inspector in the FDA Kansas City District. Beginning in 1968, he was assistant director for regulations and administration of the FDA’s Bureau of Veterinary Medicine. He later became the executive officer of the Bureau of Veterinary Medicine.

When the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Biologics Standards (DBS) moved to the FDA in 1972, Gesling became the associate director for management and compliance at what was then called the Bureau of Biologics.

Under Gesling, the Bureau of Biologics launched a comprehensive investigation of the nation’s plasma businesses, closing dozens for dangerous practices and passing new regulations to address industry operations that put donors and recipients of plasma products at risk (see newspaper clipping at right). James O. Gesling passed away in 1978.