Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-13

10 Irulb Ties, tne organisms VIII
experiments have been conducted
This is one OF the findings
biologists, Just reported by the
commission.
Other significant findings in
the field of heredity:
Offspring conceived a long
time after exposure of the father
to radiation were just as likely
to inherit induced mutations as
those conceived a few weeks
after exposure.
More than half the induced
mutations are lethal, causing the
death of the individual, If in
herited from both parents.
There is measurable damage
in the first generation offspring
of an irradiated parent. regard
less of the source of irradiation.
The magnitude of this effect was
higher than supposed by many
geneticists and indicates that,
even on genetic grounds, it is
desirable to set a dose limit for
individuals as well as the popu-
lation. This is in accord with
recommendations Of the National
Research Council committee,
made public a few months ago.
Causes Hcmorrhages
One of the tendencies of excess
radiation in both man and other
mammals. hitherto not under
stood, is to cause hemorrhageS.
Acc biologists working at the
University Of Rochester have
found that in the blood of dogs
the level Of substances known
as mucoproteins is raised from
two to four times. One of these
substances is heparin, long recog-
nized in medical practice as a
preventive to blood-clotting.
Others of the family may have
similar effects. Apparently mu-
coproteins increase when radia-
ton damages causes their release
from tissue, where they normally
are held in reserve.
A reported effect of radiation
in inhibiting photosynthesis is
being investigated at the Aces
laboratory at Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Photosynthesis is the process by
which plants build their SUBJ
stance from elements in earth.
air and water, using the energy
of sunlight--a complex process
which directly and indirectly &C.
counts for all food chemical fuel.
1t is the basic phenomenon Of all
life on earth.
II was found that very heavy
doses of gamma rays. such as
come from an atomic bomb ex-
plosion, will reduce the rate Of
photoSynthesis by as much as a
fourth in wheat leaves. The
effect. however, is quite tenn
porary and usually recovery has
been complete in "a hours. Dur
ing the period of inhibition. 1t
was found. the basic matter pro-
duced by photosynthesis re-
NAMED unchanged.
No Damage Indicated
If the hitherto unsupported eff
fects were more pronounced they
might be very serious in the pre-
dicted atomic age" The inves-
tigators, however, came up with
the conclusion that "the ability
of plants 10 maintain this vital
process would be unchanged by
doses of radiation from the deto-
nation Of nuclear weapons"
THE effect Of radiation on the
induction of the photosynthetic
process was tested by growing
plants from seed in total dark
ness and then exposing them to
gamma radiation before placing
them in the light to induce
greening." the investigators say.
The process of turning green
reflects the formation in plant
cells of chloroplasts (cells of
chlorophyll which are essential
to the photosynthetic process)
and all the activity Of the many
engines needed for photosyn-
thesis. Inhibition of the green