Abstract
The linear no-threshold (LNT) model of ionizing radiation–induced cancer assumes that every increment of radiation dose, no matter how small, constitutes an increased cancer risk for humans. Linear no-threshold is presently the most widely applied model for radiation risk assessment. As such, it imposes very heavy burden on the society in both economic and human terms. This model, which was adopted in late 1950s in the wake of massive government investments in science, is controversial and raises important ethical issues. This article identifies 2 issues often missed: scientists usurping the role of policy makers and seeking funding and power. These issues should be considered together with the scientific controversy raging over the validity of the LNT model and the multiple other ethical issues regarding its ongoing use.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Dose-Response |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs |
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| State | Published - 1 Jan 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Author(s) 2019.
Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported in part by the Jerusalem College of Technology grant No. 5969. The authors wish to thank Prof. Avi Caspi (Jerusalem College of Technology) for his encouragement of this work. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported in part by the Jerusalem College of Technology grant No. 5969.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Jerusalem College of Technology | 5969 |
| Jerusalem College of Technology - Lev Academic Center |
Keywords
- LNT dose–response model
- conflict of interests
- health and environmental protection regulations
- ionizing radiation
- nuclear safety
- professional ethics
