315 



In view of the success of this program, the University of Alaska 

 and the Russian Academy of Medical Science, as partners, are in 

 a unique position to direct further human health investigation in 

 the region and, in particular, assess the health effects of additional 

 radiation burden. The capability to conduct baseline clinical assess- 

 ments and periodic medical surveillance of populations at risk as 

 well as assessment of food sources already exist within the pro- 

 gram, where we would hope that other agencies would also become 

 partners in our task. 



Considering the similar potential threats of pollutants to both 

 the Siberian and Alaskan populations, it is clear that a collabo- 

 rative program would be most effective and should be built on the 

 foundation of the already existing Alaska-Siberian Medical Re- 

 search Progrsun. The program should include one, defining the po- 

 tential hazards to the human population; two, clarifying which pop- 

 ulations are at risk; three, the generation of epidemiological base- 

 lines, using common methodologies; four, the generation strategies; 

 and five, the development of long-term surveillance of the human 

 populations. 



Both the Academy of Medical Science and the Ministry of Health 

 in Yakutia have asked for our help in health-related research as 

 they do not have the resources to do this subject justice at this 

 time. We in Alaska are eager to help, provided we have the nec- 

 essary resources. 



My counterpart to the left; here is Valery Trufakin, President of 

 the Siberian Brginch of the Russian Academy of Medical Science 

 and Vice President of the National Academy. He has under his 

 wing some 30 research institutes similar to our NIH spread out 

 from the Urals to the Bering Sea. And he will provide a short syn- 

 opsis of the situation as he sees it. Aft«r that we'll be glad to an- 

 swer any questions you may have. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Murkowski. Thank you very much. Dr. Ebbeson. I 

 might add that you concluded your remarks in seven minutes. So 

 I think the quality speaks for itself. 



Our next paneUst is Academicism Valery Tnifakin, Vice Presi- 

 dent of the Russian Academy of Medical Science sind Chairman of 

 the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Science. 

 We welcome you as our Russian guest and look forward to your 

 input on the panel. Please proceed. 



STATEMENT OF DR. VALERY TRUFAKIN, PRESIDENT, RUSSIAN 

 ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE, SIBERIAN BRANCH, AND 

 CODIRECTOR, ALASKAN-SIBERIAN MEDICAL RESEARCH 

 PROGRAM 



Dr. Trufakin (through interpreter). First of all, I would like to 

 thank Senator Murkowski for the invitation to come here and for 

 the opportxuiity to make a short presentation during this important 

 hearing. The Director of the Alaska-Siberian Scientific Medical Pro- 

 gram has got all necessary data about the present-day situation of 

 the radiation in Russia, and other members of the committee will 

 have an opportunity to study them. 



In my short presentation I would like to comment upon some 

 facts. Evaluating the radioactive situation in Siberia, I should say 



