Here is part of an article about real anti radiation pills.
The first series of tests included experiments on more than 650 monkeys. Each test featured two groups of monkeys exposed to radiation, but only one group was given the medication. The radiation dosage was equal to the highest dosage sustained by humans as result of the Chernobyl mishap.
The experiment’s results were dramatic: 70% of the monkeys that did not receive the cure died, while the ones that survived suffered from the various maladies associated with lethal nuclear radiation. However, the group that did receive the anti-radiation shot saw almost all monkeys survive, most of them without any side-effects. The tests showed that injecting the medication between 24 hours before the exposure to 72 hours following the exposure achieves similar results.
Another test on humans, who were given the drug without being exposed to radiation, showed that the medication does not have side-effects and is safe. Prof. Gudkov’s company now needs to expand the safety tests, a process expected to be completed by mid-2010 via a shortened test track approved for bio-defense drugs. Should experiments continue at the current rate, the medication is estimated to be approved for use by the FDA within a year or two.
Also the link to your article seems to be missing.
My question: Cecil mentions taking iodine in order to prevent the body from uptaking radioactive iodine. Is something like that possible for cesium and strontium, two of the most troublesome radioisotopes associated with nuclear fallout? AFAIK, the body doesn’t actually need either, and their presence is due solely to their being “mistaken” for calcium and potassium. Is there a way to either block their uptake, or quickly bind and excrete them?
I was for sure this was junk science but it seems legit. Not to say we will be popping anti-radiation pills this time next year, but there is real science here.
Most assuredly. What I meant to say was, “we may not have an approved version available to the general public by prescription or over the counter, but…” And the use of the pill is not so much in surviving nuclear attack (though I guess they would help) but for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.