The Radiation Effects Research Foundation

Abstract

Blue Ribbon Panel Established The United States Department of Energy (USDOE) and the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) have established an `International Blue Ribbon Panel' to review carefully and in depth the current and future activities of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Japan. The establishment of the Panel, under the chairmanship of Professor Roger Clarke, Chairman of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and Director of the UK National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), follows widespread debate on the future of RERF. The goal of the Panel will be to strengthen and enhance the scientific contributions of RERF. The panel is composed of experts not previously involved in RERF activities, and consists of eight members in addition to the Chairman, as follows. Drs Tadao Shimao and Wataru Mori from Japan; Drs Jack Geiger and Herbert Abrams from the USA, with four international experts: Dr Valerie Beral (UK), Dr Dan Beninson (Argentina), Dr Albrecht Kellerer (Germany) and Dr Keith Lokan (Australia). The terms of reference of the Panel are to make recommendations on: (a) the content and quality of the current research programme; (b) what future research should be conducted; (c) the importance and merit of research conducted at RERF; (d) areas of research that could be conducted with other institutions, both in Japan and worldwide; and (e) an assessment of the scientific peer review process. The Panel is expected to identify areas in which RERF can contribute to other organisations in the world with its information and expertise and to identify how worldwide radiation research may be advanced using these data. The future health studies of the survivors and their descendants will have to be carefully considered in the report. The Panel intends to meet in February, visiting RERF at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A final report is expected by July 1996. Anyone interested in submitting views for consideration by the Panel should address them to the Technical Assistant to the Panel: Dr Colin R Muirhead, National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK (Tel: (44) 1235 822808; Fax: (44) 1235 833891; e-mail 643-5950@MCIMAIL.COM).