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Memo from To: Du dtin CO i-orth

JOSHUA LEDERBERG Dipecke Berio
/

Re diderscespteo tee
Rerbivilfe , PLL
8 ff ~f.
EP 90 1971 “23F SZ

| the genetic inheritance of
Small X-Ray Dosage future generations.
| . Although no — significant
Ts Reported Capable somatic. change has been
; ‘demonstrated in adults as a
Of Genetic Damage result of the low doses incurred
NY heer in diagnostic radiology, “the,
; 7 report said, there is laboratory
WASHINGTON, Aus. pine evidence that even these levels
Public Health Service says that|5r radiation might affect some
X-Ray gadiation levels lowerjcells.
than previously believed can| However, several epidemio-
cause genctic damage. logical studies suggest that spe-
Tt has been known that X-ray cial consideration must be
rn given to the relatively high
radiation in large amounts Caniradiosensitivity of the fetus,
cause genetic damage, andjparticularly during the early
many scientists have maintain-|phases of pregnancy.
ed that smaller amounts might| The report placed the genetic--
also cause genetic damage. ally significant_ X-ray dosage
The health agency said Thurs-|—that at which genetic damage
day its warning was based on could result—al 53 millirads.
a joint study conducted with) This Jevel 18 commonly traus-
the American College of Radio-jmitted to patients during X-ray
logy’s Commission on Radiologic examinations. coe
Units, Standards and Protection.) The report said that failure
The study said that sound|to limit the X-ray beam to the
theoretical considerations sug-|size of the film or fluoroscopic
gested that even small amounts|screen used was the major
of radiation exposure to thelidentifiable cause of unneces-_
gonads could adversely affectisary exposure. -

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

oy

Is this cortectly reported? What does the

underlined expression mean?

Is it a garbled attribution of the empirical
measurement of the intensity of gonadal irradia-
tion in the population survey(s)? If so, which one;
and doesn't such a garble warrant correction, by
the press?

 

   

PROFESSOR JOSHUA LEDERBERG
Department of Genetics
/ School of Medicine
Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305

 

 

 

Be Hewes Sem |
IY INR SS