- 22.Each advance in man's power over nature has brought
with it an element of danger.
exception.

Atomic energy is no

Consciously or unconsciously,

we adopt

a policy of acceptable risk in every facet of our

lives.

Society must decide what risk it will

accept in the development of atomic energy;

the

scientist must make clear the potential gains and
losses.

Balancing the risk against the reason for taking

the risk is difficult because there is no common measure.
How is the biological damage from ionizing radiations to
be balanced with the economic or soctal gains
energy,

from atomic

especially when some or all of the benefits may

accrue to others than those taking the risk?

The economic

and social effects are called "bioeconomic" by Claus (1958),
a term which is defined as the balance between using radiation to improve conditions of living and total health and
using radiation in such a way that living conditions and

total health deteriorate.
by Claus as somatic,
genetic,

Radiation effects are classified

the effect upon the exposed individual;

the effect upon future generations;

the effect on total well being.

or bioeconomic,

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