~& w
been employed in experimental work in order to demonstrate detectable
pathologie o¢ genetic changes.
Ry the spring of 1957 the pres and cons of the hasards from radio~
active fallout from nuclear weapons testa wore being hotly debated
ia the lay journals and even to sow extent in scientific publications,
Tras, 1t was not surprising that on April 18, 1957 the Joint Committee
on Atomwle Evergy, which had for nearly a year been acoumlating background information om fallout, fosmed a special subcomalttes on radiation for the purpose of conducting open hearings on the entire subject
of the "ature of Radioactive Fallout and Ite Eifects on Hen.® Congrese~
man Chet Helifield is Chaizuen of thia Comittee. These hearings took
Place between the dates of May 27 and June 7, 1957 and the hearings
thenselves together with the abundant appendices in the printed text
of the hearings, constitute the most complete body ef information and
authoritative statezents on the subject available now.
With very few
exceptions the material which will be covered in this paper is either
contained or referenced in the printed text of the hearings.
It should be sade elear ab the cutest that the author has dons
none of the scientific work discussed in this paper although for a
rumber of years he has been intimately asseciated with the biamwdical
research program of the AEC which sponsored a very large share of it.
Enough cannot be said in recognition of the many scientists who have
worked so hard to develop such information as we now have available on
the subject.
This they have dene tirelessly and even enthusiastically
istensit das,