Parental exposure to radiation and childhood cancer

The Gardner hypothesis, if correct, would be of very great importance to radiation protection and has therefore attracted a considerable research effort. This article lists some of the work that has been untertaken. Not all the studies have yet been completed, however, and no final conclusions can be drawn, but it is fair to say that no subsequent publication has produced evidence linking parental exposure to radiation with childhood cancer that is anything like as striking as Gardner's original paper. Completion of some of the large studies now in progress should provide more definitive information. (author)