History Science and Public Policy: an Interesting History

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The discussion highlights the historical application of ionizing radiation, particularly X-rays, in medicine and the subsequent health risks faced by radiologists, including burns and increased leukemia rates. The establishment of regulatory agencies followed concerns over uncontrolled exposure, leading to the Linear Non-threshold (LNT) model, which posits that any radiation dose carries risk without repair. Edward Calabrese's research on the LNT model and its implications for radiation protection standards is noted, along with a series of educational videos produced by the Health Physics Society. The conversation emphasizes the human factors influencing scientific research and public policy, urging viewers to engage with the video series for deeper insights. Overall, the thread underscores the importance of understanding the balance between scientific advancement and safety standards.
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Generally, we try to apply scientific knowledge in some manner to benefit humanity. Often the application requires some standards or precautions so that the applications will have maximum benefit and minimal risk. One such application was that of ionizing radiation. X-rays were discovered in 1895 and found immediate application in medicine. Since it was seen to be innocuous as well as beneficial that their use quickly became widespread. Soon after practitioners of the newly formed medical discipline of Radiology, began to suffer burn-like lesions on fingers and hands due to using their hands to hold patients still for the x-ray exam. Some of these burns became necrotic resulting in the loss of fingers. Later more serious results occurred in the form of an increased incidence of leukemias among the radiologists. Observed biological effects resulted in the application of x-rays in the successful treatment of some cancers. The science of radiobiology was born and research on the biological effects began. One area that was studied early on was genetic effects in fruit flies ( drosophila) since genetic effects could be studied in many generations over a short period of time.

With the advent of nuclear power and the atomic bomb, uncontrolled human exposure to ionizing radiation became a concern resulting in the establishment of governmental regulatory agencies and scientific advisory committees to determine exposure standards/limits. The finding of these committees has had a widespread and lasting effect on society.

For ionizing radiation, the "consensus" was that biological effects were linear with dose and that any dose no matter how small has a risk and the damage incurred is not repaired. This was the basis for what is known as the Linear Non-threshold model. Edward Calabrese Ph.D., Professor of Toxicology, Umass Amherst, has delved into the history of this model and its acceptance as the basis for radiation protection standards. The Health Physics Society has put together a series of video interviews with him discussing the results of his study. There are 22 videos each about 25 to 35 minutes totaling about 10 hours.

While the history of the evolution of these standards is interesting, it contains some rather disturbing information that exposes the human side of scientific research and its use to determine public policy. Even if you are not interested in the LNT model it is worth watching for this alone. I encourage all to take the time to watch it.

http://hps.org/hpspublications/historylnt/episodeguide.html
 
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I have not had a chance to view any of these videos, but I am looking forward to them.

I first heard about Calabrese through Rod Adams' Atomic Insights blog. Rod has blogged extensively about LNT and its history. Fair warning: his blog is not everyone's cup of tea and it is certainly not moderated the way PF is.
 
It has been over three weeks since I posted this thread. I am surprised that no one has commented so far. Has anybody looked at the videos? I know a twenty-two-episode series is a lot to watch (about 10 hours). For those who hesitated to begin and want a quick way for getting the meat of the series, there is a summary of each video at the end and a review at the beginning of each episode. One can bet a glimpse of the issues in about an hour
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In the OP I mentioned the human side. I found this series shows the influence of power, reputation, position, and impropriety used for public policy as well as ideology-driven research.

So, Anyone?
 
Historian seeks recognition for first English king https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d07w50e15o Somewhere I have a list of Anglo-Saxon, Wessex and English kings. Well there is nothing new there. Parts of Britain experienced tribal rivalries/conflicts as well as invasions by the Romans, Vikings/Norsemen, Angles, Saxons and Jutes, then Normans, and various monarchs/emperors declared war on other monarchs/emperors. Seems that behavior has not ceased.
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