Abstract
We have been accumulating the knowledge on radiation effects at various levels: genes, cells, animal experiments or humans. In this presentation, I woul d like to summarize the latest knowledge of radiation effects on humans, and consider about issues that the public at domestic and international level e xpects for study on radiation effects. From my own experiences as Professor o f Medicine at Nagasaki University, as Chairman of Radiation Effects Research Foundation, and as various positions appointed from regulating as well as p romoting sides of the use of radiation, I believe that "radiation effects ar e health effects" and the experts in research of radiation effects are accountable to the public for scientific study results of radiation effects. From the information in the 20th century, the explosion of atomic bombs, Bra vo test in Marshall Islands, the accident of Chernobyl nuclear power plant a re picked up and the dose effects of radiation on humans are summarized. Issu es expected by the public may include compensation of atomic bomb survivors, radiation protection of the public as well as patients, and emergency prepa redness to radiation accidents. The former issues relate to effects of low d ose radiation and what is termed LNT, and I would like to emphasize that in the areas of scientific uncertainty or limitation, many factors have to be t aken into account in the policy and regulatory decision-making process to as sure public health and well-being. The international framework for the latte r issue can be summarized by the explanation of WHO-REMPAN (Radiation Emerge ncy Medical Preparedness Assistant Network) and IAR (International Associati on of Radiopathology).
