OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct 8, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. scientists say they are
co-leading an international study on the possible genetic effects of radiation
and cancer drug exposures on future generations.
The study's principal investigators are meeting this week at the University of
Oklahoma Health Science Center to discuss their recent findings, which will be
presented at an upcoming meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics.
The study, focusing on cancer survivors in the United States and Scandinavia, is
designed to discover the potential genetic consequences of reproductive organs
exposed to curative therapy by drugs or radiation. Scientists said they want to
determine whether radiation and chemotherapy before conception increases the
occurrence of birth defects, stillbirths and specific conditions such as Down
syndrome. They also want to know if radiation treatment leads to cancer or DNA
damage in the patients' offspring.
Project leaders said it is the first and largest study of its kind.
"So far, the results have been encouraging," said Dr. John Mulvihill, one of the
study's leaders and a University of Oklahoma geneticist. "This study is
important for many reasons, but most notably for cancer survivors who need
reassurances that their children will not be affected by their chemotherapy and
radiation treatment. This research also will help families in Hiroshima and
Chernobyl, where residents were exposed to high levels of radiation as children
and young adults."
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