Its been 18 years since the Chernobyl disaster. Why haven't we had any superheroes?

Question

There must have been a radioactive spider bite or prolonged exposure transformation somewhere... surely?!

Answer 1

Of all of the workers, I think the ones that have my highest respect possible are the lads who volunteered to go back in under the core to drain down the water in the tanks below.

Had then not drained the tanks, then when the core burned through to the water, there would be a massive secondary explosion - far greater than the first which would result in steam propelled core being flung hundreds of metres into the air - making the radiation problems an order of magnitude worse.

The lads who went into the tanks below the core did so KNOWING they would not even survive long enough to come out again. Not a chance of life - but in doing so, they saved countless more lives.

Pure courage of the highest order, I know your question was not about this sort of hero, but I felt it needed to be said - as sadly so few folks know quite what these (and others) did KNOWING they would die doing so.

Quite humbling.

Answer 2

Here's a serious answer to what is probably not a serious question. 0;)

Mutations -- radiation-induced and otherwise -- can only modify traits that are already in the effected lifeform's genome. Thus it can change size, speed, sensory acuity, or other natural abilities, but cannot add traits from other genomes. This is why Spider-man's origin from the movie makes more sense that his origin form the original comic book.

But another reason that a nuclear incident wouldn't create superheroes is that it's far more likely to create cancer patients. Out of any given 10,000 mutations, only one will be beneficial. The rest will be detrimental. Most mutations can safely be called genetic damage. The rest can be called evolution -- and evolution via mutation is exactly what the theory of Punctuated Equilibrium is based on.

Answer 3

It is not a good thing to make light (fun) of other people's misfortunes, most especially when those who died and those who still suffer the after effects from that Chernobyl spill did not ask to be subjected to such a horrific fate.

Remember September 11, 2001? Not so funny now, huh?
I was not affected but I felt sad for everyone who had to endure the pain personally and by way of a family member. Imagine, I was watching the planes crashing into the buildings and thought it was a movie. I had seen something similar before, so why not then?

Think before you ask such things, next time. It could happen to you. It just could strike home or pretty close!

Answer 4

Other people have answered the question pointing out the genuine heroism of people who tried to stop the disaster getting out of hand and risked their lives helping those that had been effected by it in a very dangerous environment. I'd just like to say this question is in very poor taste making light of a real tragedy. I wonder if there would have been as many 'funny' comments if it was about 9/11?

All right - the REAL answer if you really want to know is that gamma radiation effects DNA - there are very many ways in which we can mutate - very, very few of them (1 in a million) would be beneficial and most would be positively harmful to your health. A great many children in Chernobyl are born with no arm below the elbow on their left side. National Geographic did a story about it. They didnt mention any superheroes.

Even comics admit that these days - Spidey's host wasnt radioactive in the movie, was it? It was genetically engineered. Thats how you can be sure of what mutations you're getting but the laws of physics dont really allow super powers.

Answer 5

Technically it's possible for someone to develop some special skills after being exposed to radiation but it's so unlikely that most people sadly die.

However I said "most"...



There are a few superheroes out there. Not many, but they exist... They're secretly hiding away in their underground lair. They train 24 hours a day. Training for the day they hope will never come. The day when the world will need their powers to survive.

Answer 6

Ha funny. There are heroes. I saw a special on tv where some lady went to the cities near Chernobyl to take care and comfort the people who had radiation poisoning and who were affected after the accident. It was interesting and inspiring.

Answer 7

There have been documentaries about those in the Soviet Union who arenow living with the effects of the Radiation Poisoning. It is truly sad to even take alook at those living today and their offspring that live(d) thru this disaster. NOBODY gained from this experience... NOBODY! Have a happy holiday and pray for those affected from this disaster, PLEASE!
Eds

Answer 8

The real heros died while trying to control and clean up the mess left by Chernobyl.

There were 31 fatalities as of May 1987, all of whom were at the power plant, and most of whom were firemen fighting the blazes following the explosion. 237 persons were "removed to hospitals with acute radiation syndrome. About 500 were hospitalized altogether, including bus drivers who evacuated residents." An estimated 24,000 of the 116,000 evacuees received fairly serious radiation doses of about 45 rem. Thyroid doses from Iodine-131 as high as 250 rem were measured in children from Lelev, 9 km from reactor.

Levi gives an estimated long term total exposure is 29 million person rems with an excess of 3000 cancer deaths above the 9.5 million cancer deaths projected in the same population. Largest effect from cesium. The later estimates by Anspaugh, et al. suggest 93 million person rem and a projection of 17000 additional fatal radiogenic cancers out of a total of 123 million cancer deaths. 97% of the health effects are projected to be in the Soviet Union and Europe.

Answer 9

Do you really think a "superhero" type person should show his or her abillities in public? People are not as accepting as they claim to be. Most likely, if a person with "powers" were to make it public, that person would be subjected to all kinds of ridicule and testing, etc... A person with "abillities" is better off keeping it to his or her self.

Answer 10

how can a radioactive exposure lead to the creation of a superhero