No Time for Silence

The Federation of Atomic Scientists has issued an appeal to the United Nations to investigate the danger that continued test explosions of the hydrogen bomb may result in unpredictable genetic damage to the human race. This appeal, which has been systematically slighted in the American press, raises a question of the utmost gravity. The Federation is far from being a radical organization; it does not engage in apocalyptic visions with great readiness; if it now speaks out there must surely be the most pressing reasons for fearing that test explosions of the hydrogen bomb will do genetic damage.

Surely this is an issue upon which there can be no doubt among those who retain some measure of sanity. That the bombs will explo...