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Teo:
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There are several factors in the present interest in radioactive
fallout from nuclear weapons.
Except for the remarks contained in
this introductory section, this discussion will be largely confined
to the technical and seientifie considerations emmerated in the fol-
lowing paragraph.
Frou the solentifis point of view, one is soneerned with the
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snounts and types of radioactive material produced by detonstions of
nuclear weapons, the mechaniens involved in local and world-wide distribution of fallout, incerporation in the food chain and eventual
uptake by human beings, estimated exposures of the whele body and of
particular organs of the body te radiation from fallout both outside
and inaide the body, and with posaible blological consequences to
both the present generation and sueceeding generations.
this cannot be viewed solely as an academic exercise.
Obviously,
From the point
ef view of cur interest in human welfare, concern for possible harm
ful effects on this and future generations immediately comes to the
fore and constitutes 2a primary factor in our interest in the subject.
At this point 1t becomes necessary to distinguish between one's
interest in fallout frem tests of nuclear weapons, per se, and one's
interest in the development and testing of mclear weapons in relation~
ship to such questions as international relations and nuclear warfare.
SSSR