Evening star., 1954-09-13
Bad Effect Of A-Bomb
On Humun Race Seen
Any Change in Radiation
Harmful, Geneticist Worms
BY Thomas R. Henry

by ih0moS X. Heny
The atomic bombs already exploded
have undoubtedly had bad effect on
the future human race.
This Is the conclusion Of one Of the
worlds foremost experts on genetics,
DR.. A. III. Sturtevant of California In
Stitute Of Technology, who takes sharp
issue with reaSSuring statements by
Chairman Lewis L. Strauss Of the
Atomic Energy Commission.
Admiral Strauss is quoted as saying
that the experimental bomb explosions.
both by Americans and Russians, have
added very little to the background
radiation" of the world which still is
"far below the levels which could be
harmful in any way to human beings"
Poses Problem of Genetics.
Such a statement must have been
made without consideration of genetics,
DR.. Sturtevant says in the official jour
nal Of the American Association for the
Advancement Of Science.
Every geneticist familiar with the
facts knows" he says. "that any level
whatsoever is certain to be at least
genetically harmful to human beings
when it is applied to most or all the in
habitants of the earth"
The steadily increasing background
radiation. he says, probably will remain
for long time far below the level
where it will have much effect on in
dividuals during their own lifetimes
but, he intimates, the possible future
effects are such as even to threaten the
human race.
Human genetics. he explains, now is
almost impossibly complicated. Certain
physical defects and certain serious
diseases are clearly inherited according
to precise formulas. Between them is
the whole vast field of physical and
mental attributes which in any individ-
ual are the products of both heredity
and environment. But undoubtedly, he
says, heredity plays part. even though
it may be impossible to put finger
on it.
Most Changes Disadvantageeus.
It is recognized that high energy
radiation produces changes in the genes.
Most of these changes are disadvan-
tageous. A certain amount of this high
energy radiation always is present in
nature. Over the milleniums this al
ready has produced stock of defective
genes which have serious effects in each
generation. Any increase in this radia-
ton adds to the store
"The effects of successive exposures
are cumulative" he says. They are
permanent in the descendants of the
affected genes. There is no recovery.
''The overwhelming majority of these
mutations is deleteriouS. They Seri-
ously effect the efficiency Of individuals
In later generations in which they come
to expression. They may lead to early
death, or to any of wide variety Of
defects, often gross ones"
The probability of a bad effect on
any individual is very low, he points
out.
Every Bomb Increases Effect.
But" he adds, when many millions
OF persons are being exposed, it be-
comes certain that some of them will
be affected. There Is no possible es-
cape from the conclusion that the
bombs already exploded will ultimately
result in the production of numerous
defective individuals-if the human
! race itself survives for many genera
t1ons. Every new bomb exploded.
since its radioactive products are widely
dispersed over the earth, will result in
an increase in this ultimate harvest
OF defective individuals. Some such
would have been present, even If the
bombs had never been invented. The
point Is that the number due to the
bombs will be added to this irreducible
minimum
He is offering no argument against
future bomb or atomic energy develon-
ment, DR.. Sturtevant stresses.
1T may be-" he says. "that the ad-
vantages ultimately to be derived from
atomic explosions will outweigh the
biological damage they do. But it must
be remembered that the risk is one to
which the entire human race, present
and future, is being subjected. regret
that an official in position of such
responsibility Gas Admiral Strauss)
should have stated that there Is no
biological hazard from low doses of
high-energy radiation"