As Professor Timothy Mousseau, a biological scientist who has spent 25 years studying the ecosystems of nuclear disaster zones, points out, we now live in a world full of radiation. And it’s increasing. Therefore, everything that happens in Chernobyl and Fukushima will concern other people on the planet.
When radioactive disasters occur, ionizing radiation is released into the environment. It can destroy or alter the DNA of organisms exposed to it. These changes can lead to mutations, such as typos in the genetic code.
Most mutations that occur after the action of radiation do not affect the body at all, since they affect parts of the genome where a small DNA rearrangement does not have any consequences.
On the other hand, some mutations can damage the body so much that it dies. Cancer and early-onset cataracts are common mutations that affect health.
Between these two extremes there are many mutations that have little or partial effect on the body. For example, people develop extra toes, growths, or asymmetry where one leg is shorter than the other.
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Another possible mutation is a change in color. For example, bird feathers often become dull.
Plants often bear the brunt of radiation in nuclear disaster areas. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the leaves of the trees around Chernobyl changed shape after the explosion. Additionally, the pine forest near the explosion site was later cut down and became known as the “Red Forest”.
There are also beneficial mutations that are still exceptions and not the rule. So radiation caused tree frogs to evolve a darker color. However, the probability of such a mutation occurring is very, very low.
Source: Ferra
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