2006-11-06 19:56:39 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Irradiated foods are safe. They are not radioactive (at least not due to the irradiation process) any more than you are after exposure to x-rays (although THEY can be harmful). The radiation kills bacteria in the food.
If irradiation did increase genetic variability it would probably be good for the human race, because, due to advances in medicine, the race is stagnating (genetically, that is) because harmful mutations and deadly diseases no longer always limit life, so the propensity for such mutations and diseases is passed on by reproduction.
2006-11-07 00:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radiation is an excellent food preservative but controversial, none the less.
Radiation causes some genetic variability but the effect is thought to be much smaller than once believed.
2006-11-07 04:43:15 · answer #2 · answered by andyoptic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋