°lle
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ENCLOSURE_V
momar
by
preparer
a
H, J. Muller
Professor Muller's remartis in regard to mutation changes
resulting from nuclear warfareare in conformity with generally
held views of geneticists,
It is noted that Dre Muller is a
member of the National Academy of Sciences Study Committee on
Genetics and the report issued by the Committee was unanimous,
With regard to the peacetime use of nuclear energy; Pro~
fessor Muller presented estimates of life shortening based on
two assumptions, i.e,, that an atomic” energyworker would receive
the maximum permissible exposure every week for a ho year working
period and that the life shortening would be proportional to the
total radiation dosage received,
As indicated in Professor
Muller's article and by figures released by the Atomic Energy
Commission, the exposures to atomic energy workers have been
considerably less than the maximum permissible amounts
.
("relatively few workers receive more than a fifth of this amount")
The possible effect of life shortening was considered by
the Committee on Pathologie Effects of the National Academy of
Sciences study on the biological effects of radiation.
The .
Committee made the following statements:
"The shortening of life correlctes roughly with dose of
radiation, bub
has not yet been demonstrated at low doses,"
"As the permissible dose level which they (Genetics
Committee of the N,A,S,) have hypoth sized as desirable fez
large populations were to be applied there would be no demcnsceredle somatic effect,
althougn a * s0oretical minor shoreening
ef life span could not be ruled out."
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Enclosure
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