~-2and differences in doses received were not considered sufficient reasons to select a separate comparison group for Utirik. One of the questions concerned the fact that the children of the ex- posed islanders have not been included in the regular examination list, This was done becatise large groups of children of radiation-exposed parents have been studied’in Japan. Since these studies, including examinations of Marshallese children of exposed parents, revealed no distinct genetic effects, it was felt that regular examinations of the Marshallese children - born. of exposed parents was not-necessary. To quote form a letter from-one of the foremost human seneticists, Dr. J. V. Neel, Professor of Human > Genetics at the University of Michigan: "'... there is no evidence that ‘genetic change was induced in children born of the exposed Marshallese any more than there is. unequivocal evidence of damage in the childre born of the exposed Japanese," He pointed out, however, that there are some 15-20 dominantly inherited syndromes that might possibly be related to radiation exposure. Even if one of these occurred, it would be impos- sible to say it was due to radiation. child would develop such a syndrome, -It is most unlikely that any Marshallese Nevertheless, if any child of an ex- posed Marshallese did, they would receive special treatment. A program for examination of all children on Utirik is discussed later in this letter. Several of your questions - suggest that the dose received by the Utirik people might have been higher than calculated. Although the estimated doses received by both Rongelap and Utirik people are inexact, a review or the data indicates that the dose estimates are reasonable estimatas. There were marked early effects in the Rongelap people, but the lack of acute symptoms and the minimal blood changes detectable by statistical means in Utirik individuals is consistent with a small dose. a 5009bb2 The fact that the Utirik people were returned