Health Notes

W.H.O. presents-

Genetic Effects

Of Radiation

ONE hears a lot these days about man being continuously bombarded by radiations com ing from outer space and from radio active material in the earth’s crust.

The intensity of this bombard ment is being notably increased, in our days, by man-made sources such as medical X-ray machines, radio active material used in medicine, and also certain material and apparatus used in science, industry and commerce: and artificial radio active elements distributed by man in nature.

Radiation has been demonstrated to be one of the agents which pro duces genetic mutation in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to mammals, and a group of 20 inter national experts was therefore brought together by the World Health Organisation in Copenhagen last year to discuss research problems connected with the effect of radia tion on human heredity.

This group’s report states the ex perts were of the opinion that the well-being of the descendants of the present generation is threatened by developments in the use of nuclear mergy and of sources of radiation. . There are strong grounds for be leving that inherited effects of ’adiation are additive, the experts igreed. The most important source )f radiation to humans are at the Jresent time from the natural radi ition and from the radiation re ceived by patients undergoing nedical X-ray examination.

In a section of the report entitled, Some Conclusions”, eight recom mendations are listed. These include

the establishment of more institu tions and large university depart ments concerned with human genetics and improved teachings in this branch; the systematic regis tration of serious hereditary diseases; and efforts by UN Agencies towards the collection and publica tion of information on subjects like fertility, consanguineous marriages and parental ages which are so essential as background in human biological studies.

The Group was particularly im pressed with the genetic hazards of man-made radiation from sources used in medicine, industry, commerce and experimental science. Both as an approach to control and as pro viding basic background information on radiation exposure and effects on man, it is essential that methods be fcund of recording exposures to in dividuals and populations, however difficult this may prove.

The first Australian harvest of culture pearls is now being gathered in Brecknock Harbour, 130 miles north-east of Derby, Western Aus tralia. They are half-pearls, suit able for pendants and earrings, and will be on sale in Australia and overseas before the end of the year.