Evening star., 1955-03-07
By Fronk Corey
Associofed Press Sioff Writer

The Federation of American
Scientists pleaded with some de-
speration" today for a United
Nations study to find out how
many hydrogen and atomic bomb
tests the human race can stand
without grave danger.
1t suggested that, if the study
warranted, the U. N. might clamp
a limit on the number of nuclear
test blasts that could be set off
in any one year throughout the
world.
The aim of this curb would be
to limit the amount of radiation
resulting from atomic expert
ments. to safeguard present and
future generations. Some scien-
fists have warned that this radia-
ton, by changing the genes de-
termining human heredity. could
Wreak grave damage on genera
tions yet unborn.
Acc Doubts Threat.
The Atomic Energy Commits
sion, has expressed the view that
the amount of radioactivity SO
far released has posed no sig
nificant threat.
But the Federation said:
ut should be clear that future
accelerated H-bomb test pro-
grams, by several atomic powers,
will ultimately reach a level
which can be shown to be
serious threat to the genetic
safety of all the people of The
world"
The Federation is a national
organization Of 1000 scientists
and engineers interested in "the
interactions of science and pub
lie affairs"
1t urged the United States to
take the initiative in proposing
that the U. N. set up a commits
zion to study the potential
dangers" from radioactivity.
1t said it is aware Of the OBJ
! stacles to thorough world con-
troll of atomic weapons, but cam
not believe that mankind can
not achieve limited cooperation
in the face of common
danger"
Tells of Desperation.
Accordingly it said that with
some sense of desperation it had
made its proposal to the State
Department and Ambassador
Henry Cabot Lodge, chief Ameri-
can delegate to the U. N.
The Federation's three-point
proposal-signed by it's chair
nan, DR.. M. Stanley Livingston
of Massachusetts, Institute of
Technology-recommended that
the U. N. commission:
l. Study the problem of radio
active contamination resulting
from bomb tests and obtain
scientific data and expert opinion
on the magnitude of the radia-
ton intensities produced.
2. Obtain and evaluate scien-
tific opinion on the biological and
hereditary effects Of radiation on
human beings. and to establish
an agreed danger threshold"
3. Report the results of such
studies to the General Assembly
of the United Nations with rec
concentrations as to procedures
required to avoid exceeding the
danger threshold"
Monitoring System Urged.
If such a commission estab-
ished a definite danger thresh-
DID," the statement said. ''it is
probable that the United Nations
would then choose to establish
some system of control of tests"
such as setting up a continu-
GUS monitoring system.
1t might also be found neces-
sary, said the Federation. to
limit the total number of tests
per year or to specify essential
safety precautions for tests of
certain magnitudes.
Under such a system. said the
Federation. any one of the atomic
powers refusing to comply with
U. N. regulations would have
to face an incensed and alarmed
world reaction" - and possibly
even policing actions" under
armed force.
! On the other hand. said the
statement. it might be that a