BOMBS AT BIKINI 



placed so as to receive non-lethal dosage, in order that 

 genetic effects, if any, might be followed over several 

 generations of progeny. Immediately after the test, 

 the mice were flown back to the National Cancer Insti- 

 tute. They were bred, and even by late September of 

 1946 a few litters had been born. These litters were 

 apparently normal; but it was still too soon to tell 

 whether cancer would develop.* 



The results obtained on animals and the extensive 

 radiation and pressure data obtained form a firm basis 

 for estimating the ranges at which exposed and pro- 

 tected crew members would be seriously injured; the 

 symptoms of injury are far better understood, and ad- 

 vances in diagnosis and treatment have been made. 



One general conclusion is that casualties caused 

 by the shock wave may be expected to be high for per- 

 sons in exposed positions within one half mile of the 

 projected Zeropoint. Thermal radiation also may be 

 expected to be very harmful to exposed personnel. 

 Within the area of extensive blast damage to ship 

 superstructures, nuclear radiation may well prove 

 fatal ; thin walls of steel cannot insure protection, and 

 even thick walls are an imperfect answer. 



* Gamma radiation is prohahly capable of producing chromo- 

 some changes which can he transmitted to progeny. It is likely that 

 the great majority of such chromosome changes are sufficiently un- 

 favorable that no progeny would be born alive; early prenatal 

 death would be more likely. Whether or not any mutations with 

 power of survival will result from the animals exposed at Bikini 

 cannot be decided for some time; such mutations woidd not he 

 expected to show up for several generations. 



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