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Loading...Mutant Fukushima Butterflies Reveal Effects of Radiation
A team of researchers have revealed that a specific species of local butterfly in Japan have mutated since the Fukushima disaster back in March 2011. The species and the massive changes in physical and genetic development suggest that radiation levels continue to be a threat in the region, and may also serve as indicator of how slowly the breakdown of radioactive materials might be.
After over a year of research, the group published their findings in the scientific journal, Nature, and roundly concluded that, “radionuclides from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant caused physiological and genetic damage to this species.” Researchers had already been studying the delicate butterfly species for 10 years prior to the Fukushima incident, because the group of animals is extremely senstive to environmental changes, which could offer a way for scientists to measure environmental changes.
As Prof Otaki, one of the researchers, told the BBC:
We had reported the real-time field evolution of colour patterns of this butterfly in response to global warming before, and [because] this butterfly is found in artificial environments – such as gardens and public parks – this butterfly can monitor human environments.
The BBC notes that scientists collected 144 adult pale grass blue butterflies two months after the disaster from 10 different locations, including Fukushima. Researchers quickly discovered that the butterflies from areas with radiation developed startingly smaller wings and abnormal eye development. The study became even more surprising when scientists bred the butterflies. It was then that they discovered the genetic mutations that had occurred from exposure to radiation.
Researchers noticed that the second generation, bred away from any radioactive exposure, developed strange antannae. Those butterflies bred from the Fukushima area showed a rate of mutation double that of butterflies that were taken from areas without radiation.
The research is coupled with reports that bad practices and radiation cover-ups were central parts of the Fukushima plant operations. Workers were not told of the dangers of radiation and encouraged to work in unsafe conditions. After the plant had a meltdown in March 2011, the government failed to tell people quickly about radiation, safety and resources for the disaster. People have been concerned about the return of nuclear power to the island, after president Yoshihiko Noda decided to restart some plants during the summer months.
The study on butterflies proves that while immediate fears of powerful radiation sickness on humans and animals may not be imminent, the longer effects of nuclear power and meltdown will be felt for generations to come.
Related Stories:
Peaceful Anti-Nuclear Protest Flourishes in Tokyo
Read more: butterfly, disaster, Fukushima, insects, japan, mutation, nature, nuclear energy, protests, radiation, sickness
Photo Credit: Tatiana Gerus
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171 comments
+ add your ownPoor butterflies- they are so beautiful and harmless- tragic.
This is not good, nor fair.
Maria A., Brian B. Considering the seriousness of what mutations to these butterflies represent to all life & humanity, this is beyond the smart entrepreneur 'making lemonade from sour-fruit'. If you study biology, physiology, medicine, epidemiology-statistics, then you will soon learn how sophisticated as well as fragile, life's design is. With the amount of nuclear power plant radiation being released spread over the face of the earth as it is, millions of children are developing leukemia & immune-system-malfunction expressing itself in thousands of diseases. Mutations to butterflies may sound 'cute' but is a very serious systematic 'bio-indication' of what is happening to people and all life. Considering that; invention & massive consumption of the planet isn't working, its time to understand again how humanity can live in harmony. www.indigenecommunity.info
But the article doesnt explain if the mutated butterflies are able to survive and reproduce offspring in the wild. It looks they are. It will be interesting to know if new species are produced because it would show the resilience in nature to cope with human disasters and how species adapt and evolve in difficult enviroments.
I feel sad for all life in Japan. What happened is horrible. We need to stop all use of nuclear use in any form. Reactors or bombs.
Thanks for sharing.
humans = evil
planet is more important as we believe!
Thanks for sharing.
Hay people nuclear energy is natural and can be safe to use,but one thing that is not safe about nuclear energy is the storage. But I have a way I have come up a way to brake the radiation by using something smaller than a nuclear atom to brake it down. If we can make energy why can we make the world a better place to live.
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