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Radioactive Omission: Where Are the Anti-Radiation Drugs?
FDA approval for pharmaceuticals being developed and tested that treat--and prevent--radiation sickness is years away.
Excerpt:
The military is "very interested in drugs that you can give before radiation or very shortly after," says Mark Whitnall, program advisor for Radiation Countermeasures at the U.S. Department of Defense's Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), which has spearheaded recent development efforts.
Aside from radiation sickness caused by nuclear attacks or accidents, anti-radiation drugs could have applications for people receiving radiation therapy for cancer, those with weakened immune systems or even for astronauts undertaking long-distance space travel.
FDA approval for pharmaceuticals being developed and tested that treat--and prevent--radiation sickness is years away.
Excerpt:
The military is "very interested in drugs that you can give before radiation or very shortly after," says Mark Whitnall, program advisor for Radiation Countermeasures at the U.S. Department of Defense's Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), which has spearheaded recent development efforts.
Aside from radiation sickness caused by nuclear attacks or accidents, anti-radiation drugs could have applications for people receiving radiation therapy for cancer, those with weakened immune systems or even for astronauts undertaking long-distance space travel.
