National Academy of Sciences — National Research Council 



COMMITTEES ON THE 



BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ATOMIC RADIATION 



In 1955, Dr. Detlev W. Bronk, President of the National Academy of Sciences, appointed a 

 group of scientists to conduct an extended appraisal of the effects of high-energy radiations on 

 living organisms. Since the beginning, the studies have been supported from funds provided by the 

 Rockefeller Foundation. 



The over-all study has been divided into six parts, each being considered by a separate Com- 

 mittee. The areas under consideration are (1) genetics, (2) pathology, (3) agriculture and food 

 supplies, (4) meteorology, (5) oceanography and fisheries, and (6) disposal of radioactive wastes. 

 The Committees themselves do not perform research; like many other NAS-NRC committees, 

 they maintain appropriate surveillance within their own fields; evaluate, in the light of their own 

 experience and judgment, the significance of reported findings; and recommend effective programs 

 of action. In consequence, the published reports not only summarize present knowledge but may 

 also recommend needed research, reveal areas of concern or confidence, and project larger prob- 

 lems associated with potential hazards of the future. The reports vary greatly in the extent of 

 technical detail they contain. Some are intended for the lay reader, to tell the citizen what science 

 has learned about the potential effects of atomic radiation on himself, his progeny, and the race as 

 a whole, so that he may participate more intelligently in making decisions about atomic energy. 

 Others contain the results of specialized studies, made by the Committees, of various aspects of 

 the problems. This study will be a continuing one, since many of the problems involve basic 

 scientific questions that will take many years to answer. New questions may be expected to arise 

 as the uses of atomic energy continue to expand. 



The members of the Committees, numbering more than 100, are among the most distinguished 

 scientists in their fields in the United States. They have given generously of their time and talents 

 in making these analyses. They serve as individuals, contributing their knowledge and judgment 

 as scientists and as citizens — not as representatives of any institution, company, or Government 

 agency with which they may be affiliated. The studies have been greatly assisted by consultations 

 with many authorities in private and Government organizations. 



Following is a list of the Committees participating in this study and their chairmen: 



Committee on Genetic Effects of Atomic Radiation 

 James F. Crow, University of Wisconsin 



Committee on Pathologic Effects of Atomic Radiation 

 Shields Warren, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston 



Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation on Agriculture and Food Supplies 

 A. G. Norman, University of Michigan 



Committee on Meteorologic Aspects of Effects of Atomic Radiation 

 Lester Machta, U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington 



Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation on Oceanography and Fisheries 

 Roger Revelle, University of California 



Committee on Disposal and Dispersal of Radioactive Wastes 

 Abel Wolman, Johns Hopkins University 



