Elephants vs mice

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	The basis for linear-no threshold theory is that a single gamma
ray striking a single DNA molecule in the nucleus of a single cell can
cause a cancer. Since an elephant or other large animal has many
thousands of times more such DNA molecules than a mouse, what
explanations have been offered for why elephants don't get a lot more
cancers than mice from radiation exposure? Why aren't human adults more
sensitive than small children? Why is radiation dose defined as energy
deposited per unit organ mass, rather than just total energy deposited
which determines the number of such hits?

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu