The concept of anomie is proposed as one sociological variable that may explain the "brain drain" phenomenon (i.e., the movement of highly qualified personnel from their country of origin to another, most often a more developed, technologically advanced country). It is hypothesized that the higher the level of anomie found among professionally trained individuals sharing the same success goals as the world scientific community and having innovative response, the greater the likelihood that they will leave their home country to work abroad. It is suggested that in order to test this thesis, one would need to measure anomie among professionals who have left their country of origin and who also have experienced difficulty in reaching their goals with the means available. Data are presented and studies are cited that pertain to the thesis of anomie and brain drain. A 1968 study of the utilization of highly qualified human resources in two Chilean cities that measured anomie using Srole's scale found that almost half of the professionals who were dissatisfied with their job performance and who lacked sufficient resources had also contemplated going abroad to find a better opportunity. The United States and Canada were the countries that attracted a great number of professional and technical workers from abroad. In addition, professionals who previously studied abroad later tended to leave their home country, and college students tended to perform well during their graduate studies in countries other than their own. The data indicate that (1) the number of students enrolled in higher education has been greater in technologically developed countries, and (2) expenditures for research and development have tended to be higher in the productive/industrial sector and the higher education sector in developed countries. (SW)