Genetic Radiation Exposures in the Field of Medicine

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Abstract
The author, medical physicist at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, draws attention to the fact that the widespread utilization of X-rays for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes probably exposes the genetic material of America—and other Western countries—to amounts of radiation many times greater than those produced by all atomic and thermonuclear weapons tests today. The estimates, however, on which this conclusion is based, are of necessity uncertain. Strangely enough, it was the alarm caused among geneticists by the thermonuclear bomb tests that has drawn attention to the exposures which, have long occurred in medicine. Certainly, Dr. Clark's paper is likely to produce considerable discussion among doctors and geneticists which may lead to more restrained and greater precautions in future medical uses of radiation.

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