Beginning in 1969, one study examined the incidence of osteosarcoma in Saint Bernards following injection of 239Pu. These studies provided researchers with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how inherent genetic susceptibility might exacerbate radiation‐induced bone disease. For instance, two studies used Saint Bernards (Taylor et al., 1981 Lloyd et al., 1983 d) rather than beagles for exposure tests since, like many large dogs, they are naturally susceptible to bone diseases including osteosarcoma (Tjalma, 1966). However, some studies employed other dog breeds with specific genetic susceptibilities. As a breed, beagles were generally selected for their small size, non‐aggressive nature, and availability (Andersen & Good, 1970 Thompson, 1989). As researchers gained a better understanding of confounding health history and the role that disparate genetic backgrounds could play in producing variability in test results, a shift was made toward the use of purebred dogs. Shively, Michaelson & Howland, 1958 Handford et al., 1960 Bair & McClanahan, 1961). Early on, ‘pound’ or ‘mongrel’ dogs of mixed and usually unknown descent were frequently used (e.g. The domestic dog was chosen for radiation research because of their larger body size and longer lifespan compared to rodents, as well as their widespread availability. Some radiation effects can be delayed more than 20 years, which far surpasses the lifespan of rodents, highlighting the need for a more suitable animal model (Dougherty et al., 1962). However, the small body size and short lifespan of these model organisms left translational gaps with regards to the application of radium toxicity to humans. Researchers began testing radium toxicity in rats, mice, and rabbits, and used the knowledge gained from these studies to create maximum permissible amounts of occupational radiation exposure. It became apparent that the limited research derived from experiments on psychiatric patients and people who were accidently exposed to radium, such as the dial painters, would not suffice in providing the information necessary to set occupational safety guidelines. Afflicted with anaemia, and a condition now known as radium jaw, an unknown number of women suffered and died before litigation brought a halt to the practice in 1928.Īs plutonium became of interest for its use in atomic weapons, the need for occupational safety guidelines emerged (Thompson, 1989). Beginning in the early 1900s and extending until the late 1920s the workers, termed ‘Radium Girls’ (Clark, 1997) would ‘point’ their camel hairbrushes using their lips, causing them to ingest small amounts of radium from the paint. Studies of radium isotopes were conducted in response to the discovery of exposure effects in female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with self‐luminous paint containing radium. Atomic Energy Commission (Looney, Hasterlik & Brues, 1955). In fact, similar studies were conducted on human psychiatric patients prior to the establishment of the U.S. Radium and plutonium were the first internally deposited radionuclides used to study the long‐term biological effects on dogs (Stannard, 1988 Thompson, 1989). These agencies supported several large‐scale studies designed to test the effects of radiation exposure on the health and lifespan of domestic dogs, particularly beagles. The AEC was disbanded in 1974 and its functions were reassigned to the Energy Research and Development Administration, later known as the U.S. Support for these studies was originally provided by the United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), which was established after World War II to advance and control atomic research and technology. Mousseau & Møller, 2020).ĭomestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) were an organism of choice for early studies of radiation exposure, with large‐scale, long‐term studies initiated in the early 1950s. The insight gained from such studies can be used to prepare for unintentional exposures, including those from nuclear accidents, medical procedures, and exposure during space travel, where many types of organisms, including humans, endure prolonged exposures to low dose ionizing radiation (e.g. Studies on the effects of ionizing radiation exposure in animals were largely initiated to determine safety guidelines for humans working with radiation in the late 1940s and remain relevant to biologists today.
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