Ridge in a painstaking analysis of measurements made during and after the
Japanese blasts. interviews with the
bombardiers, und a test explosion ta the
Nevada desert, Some of his work was

clussified because i described in detail
the makeup and radioactive output of the
Lith: Boy (Hiroshima) and Pat) Man
(Nagasaki) bombs. Auxier’s methods of
computing the doses. which underlte 15

a

Technology Transfer Reappraised
Transter of technology from industriahzed countries to des eloping countries emerged in the 1970's as a highly churged issue in the so-called NorthSouth dialogue. Less-developed countries protested that control of technology by the industrialized North keeps them in a state of technological
dependence.
A report” just issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) in Parts questions major ussumpttons on which the
technology transfer debate has been conducted. [t argues that technology
transter has been mutually beneficial for ndustralized and for developing
countries. of at least Some of them.
The report notes that technology transfer has helped a eroup of “industriwizine’*’ developing Countries to participale, on suonger terms, in the world
trading system. These incfude Brazil, Mexico. South Korea, Pumin, Hone
Kong. and Singapore.
The report's main challenge to the notion of technological dependence ts
Ils assertion that “technological monupolies are temporary.” that change ts
propelled by a “technolugy cycle.” New technology introduced in one
country ts ransferred under tight control first to other developed countries
and then to less-developed countries. As leensing and sale of the technviopy spreads. it becomes standardized.
Proof that this process is working Is seen in the rise in iaiports by
industria countnes of manufactured goods from developing countries.
Moreover, some industrializing countries ure themselves exporting technology. Mostly in the form of turnkey plants und equipment.
Feedback from technology transfer also affects industria countries, he
impact hus been myst conspicuous tn the decline of traditional industries,
notubly clothing, footwear, and light manufacturing, that have faced oflShore competition. Luss of jobs has created a protectionist backlash that
includes criticism of technology transfer. But, says the report. technology
transfer has benefited the United States and other OECD countries by
Creating export markets tor their cupttal-goods industries during @ period of
slow growth,
By focusing on the industrializing countries. the report ulfers a selective
view of the problems facing developing countries. 11 dous note in passing
that for the poorest countries, the cost of imported oil, rade deficits, and
foreign debt make the outlook bleak. Even for the industriaizing countries.
the burden of energy costs, deficits. and debt have “led to pessimism
regurding future financing of development.”
The report was prepared by the statf of OECD. which is essentially a club
of governments of Western industrial nations plus Japan. OECDserves as a
data gathering and intergovernmental policy-plaunning orwantzation. 1 ts,
therefore, not surprising that the report assesses technology transter manly
from the sellers’ point of view.
In broad terms, what the repurt’s authors say is occurring ts a miygor
restructuring of the international industri system: Por the industrial
countries an “adaptive strategy” is counseled. With a Gwo-wasy rude ia
industrial products nuw established. the North can retin tis comparative
advantage only by keeping Its “innovatory cupacity’” at a bieh fevel.
Pressure to transfer R & D activities to developing countries will build as
their scientific infrastructures strenethen. The report borrows thom bowis
Carroll Co observe that tadustrial countries mist Cheep cimdun: to stay in
the sume place. —JOUN Wats
"Nord Sauth Pecdinatows
dicasters. Uh
Cooperation and Development. Pars. [Ysi

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years of research oa health effects in
Japan, were never described in detiul. In
1977. however, the government published a quasetechnical narrative by
Auvier (le/iban. Energy Research and
Deselopment
Administration.
TID
27080) giving some additional intormuon on Auxier’s methods.
As questions about these figures arose
in the late 1970's. the National Council
on Radiation Protection (NCRP) asked
AuMter Co justify his estumates with more
supporting information. After working
on this project for several months, Auxier explained that he could nut reproduce
all the data because some had been lost.
He explained to Screwee that when Ouk
Ridge was reorguntzed in 1972. he wus
moved from one place to another, und
his old classifed files Were left behind in
his luburatory. AuSXier says that the records division at Ouk Ridge made a mistake in shipping the Ales: the valuable
dala were sent to the shredder,
The NCRP continuedto ask for contirmation of the T6SD numbers becuuse
they had become important in the debate
on the hagurds of radiation and because
new dala were beconung available. In
1976, the Los Alamos Scientitic Labora-

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tory in New Mexico. a weapons design

center. released an estimate of the radivacuive output of the Hiroshi bomb for
the first time. The frutes were not published. but given in a private letter to ©.
P. Knowles of Research and DevelopMent Associates, who was trying to help
the Defense Nuclear Agency pin down
the precise explosive power of the Fat
Man bomb. This ts one of the hey uncerunties in the record: some sav the blast
equaled the power of 12.5 kilotons of
TNT. and others say ilotniy have been as
potent as 15 kilotons. Several people in
the weapons und bluphysics community
svon obtained copies of the letter, including Kerr at Oak Ridee and Kaul at
Serence Applications. Using the new
data and computer lechoiques not available when Auxter did his research, Kaul
and Kerr in separale projects came up
with numbers that were at odds with the
T6SD results.
Kerr's luboratory ts the best equipped
and best funded for thes expensive computer work, Kaul says. and for that rea
son it has been given the primary responsibility for reviewing the old numbers.
Kert’s tisk Is comphcuted by the tact
that he is in id sense \uAler Ss successor
ul Quk Ridge and works just down the
hall Trom this senior oificial whose work
he lias been asked fo review.
Auxier, meanwhile. says Chat his data
are the best available. not likely to be
chaaved much by the work oF litter-day
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