Whether the end result is a deadly illness or a striking change in the next generation, the impact of genetic mutations caused by radiation is not fully understood. To learn more about these effects, Cornell University Scientists Richard Holsten, Michiyasu Sugii and Frederick Steward conducted an experiment of elegant simplicity. They irradiated single carrot cells in a growth-stimulating broth of coconut milk, planning to grow them into complete plants. Thus any mutations that showed up on the complete plan could be traced back with assurance to radiation-caused changes in the chromosomes of a single microscopic cell.
To make doubly sure...
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