3. The assumption that it would be "unlikely" that such studies would be fruitful, does not rule out the possibility of their actually being fruitful. Should such studies in fact yield no information, that in itself is a finding, and would give some comfort to future descendants of those exposed. 4. The earlier cases of thyroid abnormalities, and the later development of one case of acute myelogenous leukemia tend to reinforce the assumption that other kinds of late effects may develop. Since studies of germ cells would add to the general knowledge of either indicators or actual mechanisms connected with these diseases, the information in itself is valuable. That is to .ay, the more data at hand not only help to indicate whether a person contracts a disease as a result of irradiation, but may also indicate how the disease developed, and whether it is one that can be predicted or genetically transmitted. 5. While the one death from leukemia which has occurred may not be statiscally significant, and while in no way can it pathologically be proven that this disease was related to the patient's exposure, it would seem to be almost impossible to state the converse, that the case of leukemia was not caused by the person's irradiation. tend to support a connection. All the circumstances and evidence would It would take the appearance of only one more such case for the connection to be conclusive. The Committee is, conversely, aware that there are certain monetary and sociological factors involved, which have not yet been touched. mentioned in later discussion. This will be For the record, however, the Committee is of the disposition that if a decision to do or not to do something in this case is a matter of statistics, or general health and welfare of the people, it 107 lOruqy