Sentence:  Having <WSD>hedged</WSD> its bets in this way , PHS apparently decided it would be possible to make some sort of determination after all : `` At present radiation levels , and even at somewhat higher levels , the additional risk is slight and very few people will be affected '' . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)