Introduction
Marrie Currie has a unique history in the discovery of radioactivity. She won two Nobel prizes in different areas of science that includes both Chemistry and Physics due to her research work. In the book by Redniss “Radioactive: Marrie and Pierre Curie: A Tale of love and fall out,” the story of Curie is described. It has a basis of the two forces of radioactivity and love that guided her life. She discovered Radium and Polonium, which are the main focus in the discussion of ethical issues today. Redniss presents the story of Curie in a thoughtful manner turning the book into an artwork in order to align with the message portrayed. Redniss uses scientific papers, historic photos, and vibrant drawings in the pages of her book. The use of visual artist is evident in the work by Redniss. She portrays the theme of invisibility due to the issues of love and radioactivity. Redniss found it a bit unexpected by many that one can tell the story of love as well a scientific discovery together. The artist used cyanotype to for the artwork. It is a camera-less photographic technique that involves coating a paper with light sensitive chemicals.
After exposing it to sun UV rays, it turns to deep blue color (Redniss, 121). The method of photographic imaging was useful in the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity (Redniss, 54). Redniss uses the various artistic representations to bring out the issues of radioactivity and love to the reader. Radioactivity forms the basis of the breakthrough in radiation therapy that is known to have many useful applications in nuclear medicine. Redness claims that when radium was first discovered it was “an instant public hit” (Redniss, 61), since many people claimed that it cured many illnesses. In 1895, Wilhelm Rontgen created the first x-ray–of his wife’s finger. When she saw the image, his wife “intuited the power behind the discovery –to intercept, as well as hasten, death” (Redniss, 42). According to Marie, the same thing that brought her fame and a successful career-Radium-also resulted to her death and a miscarriage. Radium is still used in the treatment of cancer even though it is highly toxic and deadly. Thus, the discoveries pose serious ethical issues that cannot be ignored
Radiation therapy began after the discovery of x-rays by Rontgen. The technique started being used by Physicians to diagnose broken bones and locate the foreign object in the body. Later on, Becquerel discovered certain elements that emitted rays. The discoveries formed the basis for Curie’s work on the discovery of the radioactive elements. Radium was found to kill diseased cells, hence can be used for diagnosis and treatment of a disease. Doctors did not fully understand the mechanism of the processes, but they reported control of cancers due to radiation exposure. However, scientists also understood that radiation could be harmful if applied inappropriately. The onset of World War I was an event that used roentgenology in which the technology was used in the field hospitals. Radiation therapy has many applications in non-malignant conditions and cancer treatment in malignant tumors
According to the Canadian Cancer Society (2015), radiation therapy poses a number of ethical issues. It damages the cancer cells, but also the healthy cells in the treatment area can also be damaged. The type of precautions does not matter in the prevention of the damage because the processes are not fully controllable. When the healthy cells are damaged, there are many side effects that occur. The tolerance of the radiation intensity varies among the cells. For instance, the highly dividing cells like skin cells, mouth lining cells, and blood cells in the bone marrow are most affected. The general side effects occur when radiation is focused on any area of the body. It depends on the specific area of the organ, amount of radiation, treatment schedule, and the overall health of the patient. The side effects may last long depending on the intensity of the damage to the healthy cells. If the radiation doses are high enough, a permanent damage occurs to the cells since they cannot repair themselves. The common ones include fatigue, skin reactions, appetite changes, hair loss, reduced bone growth, and changes in sexuality among others. The issues raised are a critique of the work by Curie since she never thought that her discoveries would have the ethical issues discussed. The discoveries of radioactive materials were a major breakthrough in the field of medicine and research, but the unprecedented issues had to occur. Regardless of the many applications of radiation therapy, one cannot overrule the many side effects that it has.
Very small doses of radiation can cause cancer in humans and other living things. The fast moving gamma rays, beta rays, and alpha particles can easily collide with other molecules and alter their structure. If it happens to a DNA molecule, it changes the genetic coding and eventually turns a cell cancerous. It can also cause burns depending on their intensity over short periods of time. Another issue is the low-level exposure to radiation that comes from the environment. The medical procedures may not detect them to any significant level, but they can accumulate over time (Canadian cancer society, 2015).
There are serious ethical issues in the nuclear power plants that are a threat to human life. Their main purpose is uninterrupted power generation, but they have environmental concerns as well (Marshall & Alan, 2005, 37-55). The plants use water from the lakes and rivers for cooling. The water sources are used to dissipate heat and the excess water used for cooling the reactor. It is then released into the rivers and lakes at extremely high temperatures. Hence, it can have pollution with salts and heavy metals that disrupt the living creatures depending on it. The other major challenge is the disposal of the radioactive waste generated by nuclear fission. The radioactive waste cannot be disposed of off like other materials by the conventional means. Some of the forms of radioactive waste remain active for a long time, and hence risky to dispose of them normally. In addition, the same processes of nuclear fission and fusion that are beneficial to some extent are also harmful when used inappropriately (Redniss, 40). The bombing that occurred at Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan during the Second World War was a major blow to the discovery of the radioactive materials. Nuclear weapons were used in the war without considering the consequences of the nuclear atomic particles to human life. The effects of the nuclear weapons in Japan have been evident for many years past the war (Malloy & Sean, 2012, 515-545).
Conclusion
Artistic representation is a unique way of communicating some ideas of concern by different artists. However, many of them do not consider the ethical issues behind their visuals (Newton & Williams, 2010). Redniss uses cyanotype in displaying artistic work that gives a story of Marie and Pierre Currie in the discovery of the radioactive materials. There are essential ethical concerns that arise in the discoveries many years after the discovery, and among them is radiation therapy used in nuclear medicine. Radiation therapy is useful in medical treatments for cancer, but it also has side effects. The use of radiation on the body many affect the healthy cells leading to other forms of cancer. In addition, the other forms of radioactive materials pose serious health and environmental, ethical issues that require better interventions.
Works Cited
Cancer Information, “Side effects of radiation therapy,” Canadian Cancer Society, (2015) treatment/radiationtherapy/side- effects-of-radiation-therapy/?region=on
Julianne H. Newton & Rick Williams, “Visual Ethics: An Integrative Approach to Ethical Practice in Visual Journalism” (2010) DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195370805.003.0022
Malloy, Sean L. “‘A Very Pleasant Way To Die’: Radiation Effects And The Decision To Use The Atomic Bomb Against Japan.” Diplomatic History 36.3 (2012): 515-545. Retrieved on 8 Apr. 2015
Marshall, Alan. “The Social and Ethical Aspects of Nuclear Waste” Electronic Green Journal 21 (2005): 37- 55. Retrieved on 8 Apr. 2015
Redniss L., “Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout,” 1-208 ISBN 9780061351327, 0061351326
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