  A non-relativistic potential-model version of the factorization assumption,
used in perturbative QCD calculations of hadronic form factors, is used, along
with the Born approximation valid at high energies, to derive a remarkably
simple relationship between the impulse approximation contribution to the
deuteron form factor at high momentum transfer and the high energy
neutron-proton scattering amplitude. The relation states that the form factor
at a given value of $Q^2$ is proportional to the scattering amplitude at a
specific energy and scattering angle. This suggests that an accurate
computation of the form factors at large $Q^2$ requires a simultaneous
description of the phase-shifts at a related energy, a statement that seems
reasonable regardless of any derivation. Our form factor-scattering amplitude
relation is shown to be accurate for some examples. However, if the potential
consists of a strong short distance repulsive term and a strong longer ranged
attractive term, as typically occurs in many realistic potentials, the relation
is found to be accurate only for ridiculously large values of $Q$. More general
arguments, using only the Schroedinger equation, suggest a strong, but
complicated, relationship between the form factor and scattering amplitude.
Furthermore, the use of recently obtained soft potentials, along with an
appropriate current operator, may allow calculations of form factors that are
consistent with the necessary phase shifts.
