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All of which makes it more imperative than ever that the biological and genetic effects of fallout be understood.

But for the average citizen, unfortunately, this is one of science's worst-marked channels, full of tricky currents and unknown depths.

The scientists, in and out of government, do not agree on some of the most vital points, at least publicly.

On the one hand, the Public Health Service declared as recently as October 26 that present radiation levels resulting from the Soviet shots `` do not warrant undue public concern '' or any action to limit the intake of radioactive substances by individuals or large population groups anywhere in the Aj.

But the PHS conceded that the new radioactive particles `` will add to the risk of genetic effects in succeeding generations, and possibly to the risk of health damage to some people in the United States ''.

Then it added: `` It is not possible to determine how extensive these ill effects will be -- nor how many people will be affected ''.