Cure For Radiation Sickness Found?

Summit writes "A scientist has claimed to have discovered a radioprotectant that all but eliminates acute radiation sickness even in cases of lethal doses of radiation in tests on rats and monkeys, when injected up to 72 hours after exposure. They also claim the drug, a protein, has no observed negative effects in humans. They have not irradiated any people just yet, but if this turns out to be true, it could mean everything from curing cancer to making manned interplanetary space expeditions feasible... not to mention treatment for radiation exposures in nuclear/radiological accidents/attacks. If this drug works, it would mean a true breakthrough as past experiments with radioprotectants were not particularly promising in any respect." The only source for the story at this time is an exclusive in YNet News, a site with the subtitle "Israel At Your Fingertips." Such a radioprotectant would be huge news for Israel. Make of it what you will.

Comments

RadAway

[Arthurio]

Finally we'll have RadAway! ... Now all we need is a good old nuclear fallout and the world will be perfect.

cell suicide is done

[circletimessquare]

for many reasons, but a not unimportant reason is to protect the rest of the organism from the cell possibly becoming cancerous (tiny chance, but stacks up with enough radiation exposure to enough cells)

so if cell suicide is prevented, expect an increase in various cancer rates weeks or months after initial radiation exposure

Re:cell suicide is done

[omnichad]

Considering imminent death was the only alternative, I think that most people could live with that.

Re:Better Article & 2008 Shareholder Report

[jack2000]

Sweet it's Rad-x, Rad-away AND Stimpak all rolled into one...