‘Chernobyl Dogs’: Leaving dog reveals the effects of survival radiation

Chernobyl It is one of the most recognized places Nuclear tragedy 1986.

The area has a so -dick enough zone, which is a land area of ​​2,700 km, where human access is severely limited due to radiation pollution.

But, After decades of disaster, nature shows surprising recovery ability.

The presence of these animals reveals an important aspect of the elasticity of wildlife. However, it has existed Chernobyl dogs Scientists observe the direct reflection of the consequences of radiation in the life of animal.

History of Chernobyl dogs

After moving the areas around the city and the nuclear factory, residents have left many animals, including dogs when they have to leave their homes due to radiation.

Along with the abandoned dogs, the workers in the area have taken many.

Today, About 800 dogs live in the exception zone.

These dogs have different genetic properties depending on the proximity to the nuclear factory.

Dogs living near the reactor have more endogamy and unique properties such as the prevalence of species such as German Shepherd. Already most distant dogs, in less contaminated areas, have more mixed genetics with races such as rotweiler and boxer.

What is the effect of radiation on dogs?

Scientists who study Chernobyl dogs have led research to understand how less affected the DNA of these animals who lived and reproduced in the radioactive environment for 35 years.

Mutations of constant exposure to radiation have over 15 generations of dogs.

Genetic studies reveal changes that affect dog health, such as other issues related to early and radiation for cancers, but also indicate positive advantages such as greater resistance to the disease.

These dogs provide a unique opportunity to study the effects of radiation on large mammals. Radiation causes genetic mutations that change animal behavior and health, which can also affect metabolism, aging and DNA repair capacity.

These changes may contain direct implications to study how organisms are present, including humansThey can respond to polluted environments.

Why are dogs important for radiation studies?

The study of Chernobyl dogs becomes a key natural experiment for scientists, as they have been revealed and reproduced in the most contaminated area by radiation.

Unlike in controlled environment or other animals in laboratory models, these dogs have a steady and chronic exposure to high -level radiation. In studying their genetic mutations, scientists have allowed any genetic variations to survive these animals.

A. It is worth research so that it helps in identifying genes that give resistance to diseases such as radiation and cancer.

In addition, it provides data on how the mammal’s body responds to the radiation genetic damage, and can be extrapolate to understand how humans respond to such exhibitions.

For example, genetic analysis of chernobyl dogs can reveal what mutations can increase to cancer, some dogs have shown more resistance to tumors and lymphomas, diseases related to radiation exposure. This data can lead to new therapeutic and prevention procedures for a human being exposed to radiation.

Challenges of survival

One of the most charming elements of the study of Chernobyl dogs is their relative genetic loneliness. They live in a limited area of ​​interactions with other dogs, which facilitates the study of mutations caused by radiation.

Lack of genetic mixing with dogs from other areas contributes to a clear image of radiation effect on the genetic evolution of animal.

Dogs close to the reactor are more serious in the distant places that are more serious radiant exposure than animals.

Therefore, it is possible to observe the level of radiation thousands or ten thousand times higher than normal levels.

Radiation intensity affects the longevity of dogs, which usually live from three to four years, but the casual for this species of dogs is 10 to 12 years.

The field work done by veterinarians and scientists has revealed key information about the health of dogs and changes in their DNA.

The team uses devices in doses to measure radiation in dogs and monitor exposure levels over time.

In this process there are abstraction, castration, vaccination and control over the dog population, to ensure that they can live as healthy as possible in the exception zone.

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