Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91996E0560

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 560/96 by Mary BANOTTI to the Commission. Radiation risk experiments** 
  
*Official Journal C 185 , 25/06/1996 P. 0071*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0560/96 by Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: Radiation risk experiments

The introduction to the Nuclear Fission Safety work programme states 'Improved radiation protection of man and the environment will be achieved by research aimed at a better understanding of the mechanisms of radiation actions for improved quantification of risks from exposure to low doses...'.

Could the Commission explain why research on human cells and on the key mechanism of genomic instability which operates at low doses is not being funded, when large amounts of tax-payers' money is being spent on mouse research? This is largely irrelevant to human cancer and certainly irrelevant to quantitative estimations of risk, given the genetic, environmental and lifespan differences between laboratory mice and humans.

How does the Commission choose its advisers and who decides what research work is relevant and what research work is irrelevant?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1996)

Research on human cells is well supported within the radiation protection research areas of the nuclear fission safety programme, especially in the areas dealing with repair of desoxyribosenucleic acid (DNA) damage and to a lesser extent radiation oncogenesis. Genome instability is listed in the information package of the nuclear fission safety programme as a priority area for concerted actions. Carefully selected animal models are used in the study of the early events in radiation carcinogenesis because the multi-stage carcinogenic process occurs at the level of the organism and not at the cell level.

In the preparation of the 1994-1998 framework programme of the Euratom activitites in the field of research and technological development ((OJ L 115, 6.5.1994. )) advice on the choice of priorities was obtained in particular from senior, internationally recognised, scientists deeply involved in radiation protection research and the members of the management and coordination advisory committee (CGC) on radiation protection.

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