The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-01-02

Harvesting of atomic power for
propulsion and manufacturing.
They speak of the hope-born
of a few pioneering experiments
so far-that the use of such ma
terialS as ''tracers' in the human
body may help solve the riddle
of the processes involved in can
Ger, diabetes, heart disease and
others among mans greatest af-
flictionS.
The atomic tracers send out sig
mails which help scientists study
or measure hidden processes.
Scientists speak of tiny steps of
progress already made with tracer
iSotopes towards solving the mys-
terry of photoSynthesis, the process
by which plants use the suns ener-
gy to build up the plant tissue
that animals and men depend upon
for food. If man could duplicate
this process artifically, the prob
lem of feeding the worlds hungry
millions would truly be solved over
night.
Atomic researchers also say it
may be possible to produce more
powerful and effective drugs, in
secticides, weed-killers, and plant
growth promoters through chem
ical research aided by radioactive
tracers.
They even have hope that atom
ic ''rays"--from isotopes or other
sources-may eventually be en-
ployed to produce strains of plants
resistant to disease, drought and
other hazards.
But what has actually been ac-
complished so far in using the
atom in medicine, agriculture and
industry? Here's the record:
Medicine
In addition to tracers, several
isotopes have been used in the
direct treatment of a few diseases.
That is, the rays from the materi-
ais have been employed somewhat
like X-ray to attack diseased It's
sue or cells
Radioactive iodine is being used
to treat certain cases of thyroid
cancer and of overactive thyroid.
Only a few outright cures have
been claimed in the cancer cases,
but most patients receiving the
treatment are reported to get
''real value" from it in terms of
feeling better and possible prolong-
alton of life. Approximately IS per
cent of overactive thyroid cases
can be controlled by the use of
radioactive iodine, doctors say.
Radioactive phosphorus h S
proved useful in the treatment of
certain cases of leukemia.
American researchers are also
talking about some ingenious meth
DDS developed by the British for
bringing radiogold and other iso-
TOPICS TO bear against cancers. One
such technique involves use of a
device that looks like a youngsters
water pistol for seeding" bladder
tumors with pellets of radiogold.
Another involves inserting a de-
flated balloon into the bladder and
then initiating il with solution Of
radioactive sodium and radioae-
tive bromine.
Radioactive cobalt, a relatively
inexpensive substitute for radium,
has been fabricated by American
scientists into a wire" that is
threaded" around the contours Of
a deep-Seated cancer.
Top atomic doctors say 1.-THE fas-
einating" use of atomic energy In
the treatment Of cancer is the ef.
fort by researchers at the Atomic
Energy Commission Brookhsven.
IN. Y, plant 70 exploit neutron
rays from their atomic furnace as
a weapon against brain tuners.
/ Scientists viii say only that re-
/ suits have been promising.
/ AErieultare--
/ Research with radioactive tracer
isctopes, scch as p.s0sr@ao.us, as
enabled scientists % trace rutrz.
ents through soil, into roots and
thence. Through plants Thus,
they've been able 10 desernins al