Abstract
The evolution of radiation protection philosophy over the past thirty years calls attention to an urgent need to review and revise current radiation control programs with respect to the ethical problems and priorities they reflect. One problem is the environmental crisismentality escalating already rising expectations in our affluent society about levels of safety. A second problem is the propriety or impropriety of using cost/benefit/risk quantifications in setting priorities in public health protection. A threefold ethical justification for risk-assessment methodology challenges our government regulatory agency system as presently chartered and operationally conducted. Editor's note — The following article was presented at the 1978 AIH Conference in Los Angeles. Twoof the JOURNAL'S editorial advisors heard it and were so impressed by its thrust and quality that they urged the author to submit it to the JOURNAL for publication consideration. She did so. Not only did the reviewers concur with the advisors’ opinion … they also urged publication at the earliest possible opportunity. Readers’ comments, pro or con, will be published in subsequent issues.