Re: Hormesis?

["Christoph Hofmeyr" <Christoph_Hofmeyr@nnr.co.za>]

Jim, Bjorn and other RADSAFERS,
Thanks for your contributions, although I feel that you agree to differ on
a number of issues, with Bjorn being much more sceptical and cautious in
coming to conclusions.  Thanks also for interesting references.
Unfortunately I cannot pretend to be adequately familiar with cellular
biology and processes to be able to make proper value judgements on this
type of argument (except in a very superficial way).
I expect that this is the case - and a serious shortcoming - with a large
number of "Health physics professionals", who are willing to look rather
uncritically towards 'specialist bodies' to give guidance .  They tend to
be trained in metrology rather than biology, and can probably be impressed
by a few rough references to DNA breaks and "cancer", the dread word which
can open purses that would presumably otherwise remain closed.  Another
factor is the almost complete aversion to imposed risk (which lends itself
to exploitation), coupled with a distorted sense of hazard, our
"Zeitgeist". Definitely own musings.
Chris Hofmeyr
chofmeyr@nnr.co.za

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html