Summary

It is apparent that the ABCC program had bogged down because of deficiencies in understanding of purpose, in ideas, in initiative, and in outlook. There has been a lack of investigative leadership and stimulating support.

Significant observations have been made and, while gross evidence of radiation effects are not being detected at present, the data not yet analyzed may contain valuable information. If intimations of a shortening in life span should be substantiated, an impetus to investigations of underlying mechanisms will be provided. In any event, the continued imaginative investigation of the study population should yield knowledge of great value to medicine, to human biology, and to peaceful uses of atomic energy. It is believed that the program should be strengthened and given increased support.

A unified plan of study is proposed. It should furnish more adequate data by coordination of effort, integration of information, and by maintaining analyses of data at a current level. It offers advantages of the stimulation and carrying out of research. Suggestions as to future plans of maintenance are briefly discussed.

The Committee has not, in the time available, been able to examine all aspects of the problem in detail. Moreover, it has been necessary to collect information by its own efforts.

Finally it regrets it did not have time to write a shorter report.

Hijiyama, Hiroshima
6 November 1955

 

• • 　Respectfully submitted,

• • • 　　Seymour Jablon
  • • 　　Felix E Moore

• • 　　Thomas Francis Jr, Chairman

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