The MC received progress updates regarding the following reports:
• Managing Patient Doses in Computed Tomography
• Report on Accident Prevention in Radiation Therapy
The reports were given the approval for publication given that the discussed amendments were made.
The MC received reports from the following Committees regarding progress on reports and research:
C1 – Dr. Cox reported that due to uncertainties with regards to dose from neutrons at low levels, research on this topic would take another year minimum. Additionally, other C1 activities were touched upon briefly, regarding specifically embryo/fetus risks. Little solid information on the topic was available and future work was threatened by possible closure of accelerator installation in Germany.
C2 –Discussion was done regarding development of a generic global individual for dose estimation purposes. Although generic individual is preferable, specific constants must be referenced to account for sex, race, body type, etc. Additional discussion was held regarding timeframes for Human Alimentary Tract, DOCAL voxel phantom, and meetings with C1 and C3 regarding auger electrons and new iodine model.
C3 – Progress on current series of medical reports was advancing smoothly. Due to slow introduction of radiopharmaceuticals to the medical industry, interim reports on new products would be collected over several years before the need to print a new version of P53 is required.
C4 – Members expressed support for ICRP maintaining its role as a scientific, rather than ethical body. The need to begin researching dose in space travel was suggested and a proposal for a new TG is likely to come in 2001.
Dr. Holm described plans for creation of new MC TG on the topic of environmental protection. Although some concerns were raised regarding only appointing actual scientists, the general census was that there was value in inviting environmentalist activists to this TG.
The Commission elected Rudolf Alexakhin, Greta Joy Dicus, Abel Gonzalez, Yasuhito Sasaki, and Annie Sugier as new members to the Main Commission.
The Commission discussed potentially nominating new members to Committee bodies to replace retiring members. New Committee members were appointed as per document 00/103/2000.
A final discussion was held regarding ICRP’s stance on ethics vs. science. A decision was made to provide decision aiding science only.