2. 



A significant feature of the present debate is centered around the 

 issues of "pathological effects" and "genetic effects" of radiation. Rel- 

 atively speaking, the levels of radiation that will produce defined patho- 

 logical effects are rather well established. Our experience with X rays, 

 early radium work, and more recently with the entire spectrum of 

 fission product problems provides the information for an assessment of 

 these levels. It is these considerations that form the basis for the 

 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Pro- 

 tection, and the establishment of maximum permissible concentrations 

 for various radioisotopes in air and drinking water, and the maximum 

 permissible amounts in the human body. 



The "genetic effects" problem, however, is not so sharply 

 defined. Our experience has been gained over much too short a time 

 to be able to assess what effects rather small increases in radiation 

 levels in man' s environment will produce in the next several genera- 

 tions. The Committee on Genetic Effects of the National Academy of 

 Sciences - National Research Council (1) summarized the situation (in 

 part) as follows: 



"The basic fact is - and no competent persons doubt this - 

 that radiations produce mutations and that mutations are 

 in general harmful. It is difficult, at the present state of 

 knowledge of genetics, to estimate just how much of what 

 kind of harm will appear in each future generation after 

 mutant genes are induced by radiations. Different 

 geneticists prefer differing ways of describing this 



