ENCLOSURE V
"RACE POISCNING BY RADIATION"
by
.
H, J, Muller
Professor Muller's remarks in. regard to mutation changes
resulting from nuclear warfare are in conformity with generally
held views of geneticists,
It is noted that Dr, Muller is a
member of the National Academy of SciencesStudy Committee on
Genetics and the report issued by the Committee was unanimous.
With regard to the peacetime use of nuclear energy, Professor Muller presented estimates of life shortening based on
two assumptions, i.e,, that an atomic energy worker would recei
the maximum permissible exposure every week for a 4O year worki
period and that the life shortening would be proportional to tk
total radiation dosage received,
As indicated in Professor
Muller's article and by figures released by the Atomic Energy
Commission, the exposures to atomio energy workers have been
considerably less than the maximum permissible amounts
("velatively few workers receive more than a fifth of this amo
The possible effect of life shortening was considered by
the Committee on Pathologic Effects of the National Academy of
Sciences study on the biological effects of radiation,
The
Committee made the following statements:
"The shortening of life correlates roughly with dose of
radiation, but
has not yet been demonstrated at low doses."
"As the permissible dose level which they (Genetics
Committee of the N.A,S,) have hypothesized as desirable for
large populations were to be applied there would be no demon~strable somatic effect, although a theoretical minor shortening
of life span could not be ruled out,"
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Englosure V