Biology Expertise

[scherer@uiuc.edu (David Scherer)]

>I believe that if David would look at the credentals of many of the people
>that have taken part in the ANS sessions on Low-Level Radiation Health
>Effects he will find that mny of them are from the fields of biology,
>medicine aznd health physics.  The ANS division that was thw primary
>sponsors of these sessions is Biology and Medicine.  I know several of the
>B&M Division that have taught radiation biology.  The members of this
>division and several others have a great deal of problems with people who
>think ANS is made up only of nuclear engineers.

I said that the advocates in this discussion (radsafe) are principally
engineers.  I don't think I said that there are no biologists in HPS or ANS.
Nor did I say that no biologist disputes the linear model.  Someone pointed
out to me privately that many members are engaged in activities that cover
many disciplines.  However, breadth is no substitute for depth.  The world's
leading experts in radiation biology are typically members of NAS and RRS.
Some of these experts may also be members of HPS and/or ANS BMD.  Of course
no group dictates Truth.  However, a consensus within the NAS and RRS would
imply a greater degree of acceptance among leading biologists.  And my
comments concerning the impact on credibility stands.

Dave Scherer
scherer@uiuc.edu