Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!well.uucp!pokey
From: pokey@well.UUCP (Jef Poskanzer)
Newsgroups: sci.nanotech
Subject: Re: Whole-Body Frostbite:  Can It Be Cured?
Message-ID: <8906130723.AA21661@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 12 Jun 89 03:08:52 GMT
References: <8906120156.AA12548@athos.rutgers.edu>
Sender: nanotech@aramis.rutgers.edu
Organization: Paratheo-Anametamystikhood Of Eris Esoteric, Ada Lovelace Cabal
Lines: 17
Approved: nanotech@aramis.rutgers.edu


By the way, Asimov once figured out that the vast majority of genetic
damage from background radiation comes from radioactive isotopes that
are actually incorporated into DNA.  When an atom that just happens to
be near a DNA strand decays, there is a small probability that the
strand will be damaged; but if the atom was a part of the strand, the
probability of damage approaches 100%.

This suggests a possible prophylactic measure when preparing for
ultra-long-term storage: spend a year or two on a radiation-free diet
(including air, gotta watch that carbon 14).
---
Jef

    Jef Poskanzer  pokey@well.sf.ca.us  {ucbvax, apple, hplabs}!well!pokey
 "She was a girly girl and they were true men, the lords of creation, but she
        pitted her wits against them and she won." -- Cordwainer Smith