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JANUARY-JUNE 1954
the results of the exposures of genetic materials to nuclear radiation
were reviewed for publication in scientific journals.
Declassification of Operation IvY Film
‘
The declassification and public release, of “Operation: IVY"—the 4
_ Official film of the test of a thermonuclear device at the Pacific Proving
’ Ground in 1952—was a majorcontribution to national civil defense. x
Somatic Mutation Program
Studies at Brookhaven National Laboratory of the effects of radiation on plant growth and reproduction utilize both gamma and neu- ©
tron sources developed in the reactor. Under the somatic mutation
program, a cobalt source is used for experiments in a ‘gammafield”
where plants of several varieties are planted in concentric circles at
various distances from the center in order to receive varying radiation
exposures throughout the growing season. This program, started in
1952 on a small scale, was expanded recently with the major agricultural experiment stations in the East cooperating in the project. The
objective is to test the feasibility of producing useful mutations by
means of ionizing radiations in plants, shrubs, and trees normally
propagated asexually.
The experiment stations select the material to be treated, and after
irradiation at Brookhaven Laboratory, any mutations produced are
screened at the originating station for usefulness. Most of the material sent in is grown in the “gammafield” and careful observations
are made of the effects produced. Continuous radiation upsets the
normal growth of the plants, and it appears that each variety responds
oto et tO
‘Increased emphasis continued to.be given to .integrated research
~ studies on various types of radiation, providing data on the effects of
radiation on biological systems. Particular attention was centered on the biological effects of neutrons. These effects are more difficult —
to study, and consequently, less well-known than those of X- and
gammarays. This is true because it is difficult to produce neutron
' irradiation without. significant exposure to other types of radiation,
and because of difficulties of measurement of neutron dosein the presence of other types of radiation. Neutron effects are important not
only in research applications, as discussed here, but to the weapons
development program andin civil defense activities.
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RESEARCH INVESTIGATIONS
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