The health benefits gained from the use of radioactive pharmaceuticals in this generation threaten the health of generations to come.
2006-09-07 10:30:00 · 6 answers · asked by kira 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
iodine-131etc. all radioisotopes
2006-09-07 10:51:00 · update #1
Radioactive drugs mutate DNA and the DNA in the gametes, both male and female, are especially susceptible to damage as there is no repair mechanism like in normally dividing cells. Thus, the future generations come from the sperm and eggs that have damaged DNA, and thus they are threatened.
2006-09-07 10:37:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The health benefits of an xray to see a broken bone or disease threaten later health of the individual. The radiation used to treat cancer can cause cancer at a later date. There are many food additives today that may affect us later. Why are we having more ADD and ADHD? I am a teacher and can say I havea seen more, not just more diagnosed.Doctors do try to protect the gonads when using radioactive treatments, but they can affect the genes . So can all the new chemicals being used in every industry.The amounts of radiation in tests is limited. What pharmaceuticals are you referring to?
2006-09-07 17:36:53 · answer #2 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is evidence that radioactivity can have influence genetic material. Therefore, someone exposes to radioactive materials, even drugs intended to be useful, stands a risk of altered genetic composition. When that person has children, they pass along the genes. If those genes are altered in an unhealthy manner, it could affect them. Then when those children have children themselves, they pass along the altered genes too, so it can go on for generations. Please note that the statement is very biased. It assumes that the short-term health gains will lead to long-run problems. While we know that genes can be altered, it is also possible that those alterations could improve the health for generations to come.
2006-09-07 17:37:51 · answer #3 · answered by neniaf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radioactivity is used in cancer treatment right? If the patient is of child bearing age, this makes sense.
2006-09-07 17:37:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a possibility; it may cause a point mutation which can express itself in later generations
2006-09-07 17:36:05 · answer #5 · answered by Snehal S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mostly no, since they have very short half lives mostly
its fallout from bombs and reactor waste that pose the serious threat
2006-09-07 17:32:33 · answer #6 · answered by kurticus1024 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋