Exposed mice pass increased risk of leukemia to offspring-Reply

[MICHAEL S FORD <MFORD@pantex.com>]

A couple of questions:

Was there any mention of the acute dose given to the paternal
parent mouse?  Would it qualify as *genetically significant*?  Isn't it
standard guidance to advise persons (men) who have received
genetically significant doses to refrain from procreation for a period
of months for the reasons illustrated by this study?  How do the
doses and dose rates in the study compare to the occupational
exposures of the Sellafield workers?

>>> <GACMail98 wrote on> Wed 22 Jul 98  21:01 >>>
Wednesday July 22 10:26 PM EDT 

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Scientists have found that a group
of mice exposed to radiation passed on an increased risk of
leukemia to their offspring, according to research published
Wednesday........

...Dr. Michael Thun, chief of epidemiological research for the
American Cancer Society, said he had not read the study and was
reluctant to comment directly. He said the question of radiation
affecting the fathers' sperm was ``scientifically interesting,'' but had
little practical importance to patients at this time. 

``The way to avoid cancer is not to worry about your father's 
*************************occupational exposure,'' he said. ``It's
likely that what you do in life would be much more harmful and
contribute to your risk of getting 
cancer.'' 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Dr. Thun's statement on how to avoid cancer is probably the most
rationale one that I've heard in quite some time!

v/r
Michael
****************************
Michael S. Ford, CHP
Texas Radiation Advisory Board
Address:
Radiation Safety Department
Battelle Pantex
Amarillo, TX
806.477.5727 phone
806.477.4198 fax
mford@pantex.com
*************************