§ 62. Dr. Strossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what official research is being conducted in Britain upon the effects of radioactivity upon reproductive cells; and to what extent this research is being conducted upon mammals.
§ Mr. BevinsA large programme of research on the effects upon the germ cell of exposure to radiation is being undertaken at the Medical Research Council's Radiobiological Research Unit at Harwell, and related studies are in progress at several other establishments of the Council. Most of the work is carried out with mice.
§ 63. Dr. Strossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research has been conducted into the danger threshold beyond which the radioactive contamination of the atmosphere may damage mankind's genetic constitution.
§ Mr. BevinsThe Medical Research Council's programme of research on radiobiology aims at extending our knowledge on all the hazards which radiation may hold for human beings. There is, however, no way at present in166W which direct evidence of genetic damage to human beings from radiation can be obtained.