RRJ4

Reference:

Neergaard, L. (2010, April 26). Dirty-Bomb Test for Terror May Aid Cancer Research.

The New York Times, Retrieved April 27, 2010, from http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/26/health/AP-US-MED-HealthBeat-Radiation-Test.

Summary:

Scientists found that a method can distinguish the person who is exposed to radiation from another quickly. The research might use the treatment of cancer. The government has to prepare against a terrorist attack, vaccines and chemical threats. Radiological threat is one of these. Lymphocytes, which are immune cells, are very sensitive to radiation and change the response of genes. Duke hematology specialist Dr. John Chute found the response of genes with two or three drops of blood. He has to change the find into an emergency test.

Reaction:

Nowadays, there is no way to distinguish the people who are exposed to radiation from other people quickly. I think some test which has a purpose often aids other research. If radioactive contamination happened, we would not find the situation visually soon. I did not know lymphocytes are super-sensitive to radiation. I know the genes switch on and off in response to radiation. I am interested in the relation between genes and radiation.