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R. E, Hollingseorth
since 157 people are involved this would amount to about $16,000.
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He further recommends that such a payment be clearly identified
as an "inconvenience payment" and disassociated completely from
any recompense by virtue of these people being subjected to
fallout rad{ation.
Dr. Conard outlined this problem before the Advisory Committee
for Biology and Medicine at its 134th meeting in May 1970, and
the ACBM in its report of that meeting to the Chairman, AEC,
made the following statenent:
:
"At its executive session, the ACBM recommended that consideration be given to the development of some mechanism
for payment to the Utirik population as research subjects
in a way to assure their continued cooperation with the
investigation of the Marshallese people accidentally ex-
posed to radioactive fallout in 1954.
It is clear that
the mechanism for payment would have to avoid the connotation that this was in compensation for radiation ex-
posure, in view of the low dose of radiation received by
the Utirik population."
Because of the importence of continuing this study of the biological
effects of radiation on one of the few groups of populations available for this purpose, I strongly urge approval of Dr. Conard's
reconmendation for an "inconvenience payment" to be funded from
the budget of the Division of Biology and Medicine. However, it
is recognized that there may be a certain amount of sensitivity
related to such action and I am, therefore, enclosing a draft of
& proposei letter to the Department of Interior to obtain their
acreement to this approach. Informal discussions with representeavives of the Trust Territory indicate no serious objection to the
proposal.
Dr. Conard and his team plan a revisit to the Marshall Islands
starting approximately October 20, 1970,
for continuation of the
medical examinetion program, and I am hopeful we can provide him
with e favorable reaction to his proposal prior to nis departure.
DOE ARCHIVES
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