There’s a story on Ynetnews that “Jewish-American scientists” have discovered a cure for radiation sickness:
Medication that can protect humans against nuclear radiation has been developed by Jewish-American scientists in cooperation with a researcher and investors from Israel. The full story behind the dramatic discovery will be published in Yedioth Ahronoth’s weekend edition.
The ground-breaking medication, developed by Professor Andrei Gudkov – Chief Scientific Officer at Cleveland BioLabs – may have far-reaching implications on the balance of power in the world, as states capable of providing their citizens with protection against radiation will enjoy a significant strategic advantage vis-à -vis their rivals.
Hat tip: memeorandum
The story is being touted as a “game-changer” on nuclear weapons by some of those commenting on it but if it pans out I think it’s more significant than that. I’d sure like to see the science behind it.
First off, such a development might reduce the unreasonable fear of nuclear energy. A mishap like Chernobyl doesn’t result in an explosion but it does spread radiation around. Having a prophylactic or cure for radiation sickness would make cleanups after such an event much easier to clean up.
I can only guess at the implications it would have for nuclear medicine or radiation therapy.
Additionally, there are all sorts of things it might make practical. One example would be nuclear thermal rockets. The ideas on the drawing boards for such things don’t produce a great deal of radiation but the difference between “not a great deal” and “none at all” is significant enough to be concerned about. A cure for radiation sickness would make whatever radiation these devices produced much less bothersome.
I’ve got to admit that one of the first things that occurred to me when I read this story was disinformation. Stay tuned.
Update
Dr. Gudkov appears to be legit but I don’t find anything about this on the FDA’s web site. I’ll keep checking.
I have the fortune to be married to a nuclear engineer. She is skeptical, but it all depends on the type of radiation, which isn’t discussed in the article. Suspicion is further raised by the claims about nuclear attack. Such a drug would do nothing against the two biggest killers – blast and thermal radiation. The drug would save few, if any, people in the event of a nuclear attack.
That occurred to me as well. Basically, it isn’t the radiation that Israel needs to worry about from a nuclear attack it’s the bomb blast and the heat wave. Israel is so small that it can practically be taken out with a single nuclear weapon.
The good that it might do has to do with the area outside the 10 mile or so radius that a one megaton bomb’s primary damage will be done in. Beyond that radiation is a concern. Additionally, there’s the responders to think of.
However, the limited usefulness against nuclear weapons is what made me think about the possibility of disinformation.
The results of an anticipated attack would be changed dramatically. There’d actually be a point to bomb shelters.
But I’m skeptical. It sounds too good to be true.
It depends on the size of the weapon, but the lethality radius from heat and blast are usually greater than for radiation and most of that is gamma, which I really doubt any mere drug can mitigate.
I’d never say “never” but, as I wrote above, I’d like to see the science.