Defense official would seek study of bone marrow radiation shielding

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense, Policy and Programs would seek an agreement for an independent scientific assessment. A University Affiliated Research Center affiliated with United States Strategic Command would conduct the assessment, if an agreement is reached. The assessment would compare partial-body radiation shielding that preserves bone marrow with no such protection. It would review peer-reviewed research, laboratory studies, and relevant experimental data. The review would examine acute radiation sickness, its severity, and death rates after gamma radiation exposure. The Assistant Secretary would seek the agreement within 30 days after enactment and submit the assessment findings to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 150 days after enactment.