Life Atomic: A History of Radioisotopes in Science and Medicine

摘要: After World War II, the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) began mass-producing radioisotopes, sending out nearly 64,000 shipments of radioactive materials to scientists and physicians by 1955. Even as atomic bomb became focus Cold anxiety, radioisotopes represented government's efforts harness power atom for peace-advancing medicine, domestic energy, foreign relations. In Life Atomic, Angela N. H. Creager tells story how these which were simultaneously scientific tools political icons, transformed biomedicine ecology. Government-produced provided with new diagnosis therapy, specifically cancer enabled biologists trace molecular transformations. Yet attempt present marvelous dividends age was undercut in 1950s fallout debates, citizens recognized hazards low-level radiation. reveals that growing consciousness danger radioactivity did not reduce demand at hospitals laboratories, but it change their popular representation from a therapeutic agent an environmental poison. She then demonstrates how, late twentieth century, public fear overshadowed any appreciation positive consequences AEC's provision research medicine.