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RADIATION STANDARDS, INCLUDING FALLOUT
Dr. Comar. Carbon 14 probably should be included in this list,
but I have not considered that.
Senator Arxen. Is any of the potassium which is taken into the
body in the form of cyanide, does the body contain any cyanide?
Dr. Comar. I would think it must in very small amounts.
Chairman Horirievp. I think the point the Senator makesis well
taken. He points out that there are nonradioactive chemical poisons
which are constantly taken into the body in addition to the poison of
radioactivity.
.
Senator Arsen. And are responsible for far greater disasters to
the human race.
Representative Hosmzr. Of course, we get back to the threshold
question where there is a definite threshold established with respect
to these poisons whereas the threshold has not been proved with respect to radioactivity ; is that right?
;
Dr. Comar. Undoubtedly there has been so much emphasis on radiation and radioactivity that the whole matter has caused other things
to be lost sight of.
It is important to look at the totality of the picture.
Senator Aiken. Do you not think, Doctor, it was a great calamity
that the critics of the use of milk and other dairy products did not
advise the Maker before He set up the original milk program?
Would that not have made the human race much better and healthier
and more self-sufficient had He known about these things that we are
being told now?
Dr. Comar. I will accept your word.
Representative Price. Thank you very much, Dr. Comar, for a fine
statement and a valuable contribution to these hearings.
Chairman Houtrreip. I know your biography will appear in the
record but what is your position at Cornell, sir?
Dr. Comar. I am head of the department of physical biology, which
1s a department in the university concerned primarily with the application of physical principles and concepts, biological research.
Most of our work at the present time is comprised of work with
radiation, biological effects, fission product metabolism, but we have
tried on an educationalbasis to look atthe overall picture.
Chairman Houurietp. Do you feel that the testimony you have given
this morning before this committee is generally supported by competent scientists in the biologicalfield ?
Dr. Comar. I would think so. There are still minorpoints of disagreement, which is very healthy. But the main points that I have
madeI feel are definitely supported.
Chairman Hotirteip. In other words, the presentation you have
made is a true representation, as far as you know, of the concensus
of scientific opinion in this field and the figures that you have given
us would not be seriously challenged except in a minor degree possibly by otherscientists of high repute ?
Dr. Comar. I wouldthink that is the situation. I have not met very
many people who I could not talk into some of these points if necessary.
Representative Pricer. Thank you very much. The next and concluding witness this morning will be Mr. Donald Chadwick, Chief,
Division of Radiological Health, Public Health Service.
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