statisticall:: significant difference i1 the number of mutations
BS
:
0.
- +
sflaul
-w.
.
springs of nox-ipradiated control parents,
It did not prove in
_
any sense of the word that there was no geretic effect.
Following a general discussion of the mechanisms of senetic
.
change especially as produced by radiation, both natural énd
artificial, the comnittee made certain recommendations.
in doing
, t
so they used natural background radiation exposure (1.€.5 radia-
tion from cosmic rays, igneous rocks, radium and radfopotessium
in our bodies, etc.,) and the so-called spontaneous mutation
rate as base lines,
-
In addition theywere unanimous that no
increase in the spontaneous mutations rate was desirable and that
all radiation exposure to the germcells at whatever rate of
exposure did
indeed increase the mutation rate in proportion to
the total exposure received at the time of conception,
Consequently
they stated that all radiation exposure to the gonads was
detrimental and consequently radiation exposure should be kept
at the minimum consistent with the over-all needs of a society.
They then observed that half of the American children were
born of parents approximately 30 years of age or less,
They
noted that by the age of 30 the average American would receive
germ cell exposures as follows:
1. Background or natural radioactivity
43x
2, Medical x-rays
3.7
3, Fallout from waapons testin, if continued
at vate for the past 5 years
O,ir (0,02
to 0,5r)
They then estimated that the exposure necessary to deuble
tne piviticne rate in hunans lay betwee: 5€ and 150r, more likely
20r to €tr, pet also that different pent loti were euite different
“Lasitivicy fo rediation,
Po
Gbe
Tak
g visee observations ints
pom cert bss
as
a
winks)
‘