Introduction The article “Surviving Side Effects” by John Dudley Miller, published in Scientific American discusses some of the new treatments being developed post 9/11 which can also be used to treat the side effects of radiotherapy in cancer patients. According to the writer, the fear of a terrorist attack has spurred Congress to fund research that could “protect survivors and first responders from radiation injury.” These researches will also benefit cancer patients in whom radiotherapy kills put healthy as well as cancerous cells, leading to painful side effects. The article goes on to discuss some of these researches and their effect on cancer treatment. Main body While the article mostly deals with the benefits of these researches for cancer patients, it also has a significant implication for First Responders in case of an incident involving radiation leakage. In such situations, besides the survivors, the First responders are at the biggest risk as they too will be exposed to the radiation. If these treatments are successfully developed, they help both survivors as well as First Responders. While firemen, paramedics, etc could take these drugs before their exposure, the paramedics could carry these drugs in their kit and administer them to the survivors o reduce the impact of the radiation exposure. One of the drugs being developed is given four hours after radiotherapy. Such drugs can be extremely helpful in saving people exposed to radiation. Miller starts by explaining the dangers to cancer patients when they undergo the two most common treatments available to them, one of them being radiation therapy. He then talks about the legislative help that scientists are getting to help them develop countermeasures against radiation. Having set the background, Miller goes on to discuss the various researches which are currently at different stages of success. He takes up each research one by one and discusses in detail the drug, its effects, and how it works. For example, he explains that the drug which is being developed at the University of Arkansas works by inhibiting the secretion of enzymes that destroy the inner lining of the intestines after radiotherapy. He explains in detail the benefits which each of these treatments will have for cancer patients. Miller concludes the article with a quote from radiation oncologist John Moulder, according to whom “There’s a lot more money now that it’s called counterterrorism”, accurately pointing out the reason why scientists are on the verge of finding a solution to the problem of radiotherapy. This is a well-written article and Miller seems to have done adequate research. The various cures which the scientists are currently researching are well explained using simple language. Miller also successfully connects the two completely different issues: counterterrorism and cancer research. Although various researches are being carried out to help the US fight terrorism by equipping the First Responder with all the right tools, Miller concentrates on the benefits that these researches will have for cancer patients. The article also suggests that even scientists are less interested in counter-terrorism and more in finding a cure for radiotherapy complications. They look at the government’s grants they are getting post 9/11 as a blessing in disguise. Overall, Miller is su