RMI Nuclear Justice Documents

contain malignancy, and, while all reported evidence would suggest that this single case from Utirik may have been the only "normal" case of thyroid cancer, it is difficult for the people to believe this while they are aware of what happened on Rongelap. Again, certainty about their future because of their exposure, One of the neces- sities in the examinations and studies carried out by the team is to have a group of persons who are of similar background, and sex These people re- present what is known in medical parlance as a "control" or "comparison" group. In laboratory experiments with rats, mice, guinea pigs or flies there are usually two groups. One group is exposed to a chemical or other influencing agent, while the other “control" group is not. By 7 but not exposed to the fallout radiation of 1954. age, v7 The unexposed Rongelapese and Utirikese. ot 3. — 4 persists in the minds of the people, together with the general un- yTVD TV misunderstanding resulting from poor communication and explanations fashion, those Rongelapese and Utirikese who are examined and give blood and urine samples, provide a group which the doctors can use in comIt was this group which was the most they resented being examined and, in many cases, if such examinations were to be continued in the future they should be compensated for them. While the Committee can understand such a request, its major concern is that the people do not understand how their role as a control group is helpful to their exposed brethren. 163 Again, it is due to a lack of ey They indicated that “§ vocal in expressing dislike of the examinations. r parison with the exposed people. m7 In a similar ry influencing agent has had on the group experimented upon. Vy studying both groups, scientists can tell what specific effects the