MUMBAI: Genetic risk evaluation and cloning of genes predisposing human being to the effects of radiation will be among the topics to be taken up for discussion at an upcoming three-day international conference on radiation protection.

The conference, beginning on Tuesday at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) here, will also focus on radiation protection measurements and dosimetry, its current practices and future trends, its convenor Dr R K Kher said.

Radiation has always been a part of the natural environment and a large part of the total radiation dose received by the living organisms even in the absence of any installation is inevitable, he said.

Since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, research activities in many areas related to radiation protection received a boost in order to be prepared for handling radiation accidents effectively, Kher said.

During the last decade, there has been an ongoing programme to train medical personnel in handling radiation injuries such as localised exposure and Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).

In addition, a number of personal decontamination centres, first aid post at plant sites, site hospitals and specialised central facilities have been evolved, Kher said.

The recent advances in molecular biology have contributed significantly to the area of radiation protection.

Prof A T Natarahan of Leiden University and Dr Guenther of Germany would present some of the recent advances in radiation biology in the conference.

Prof K Sankaranarayanan from the Netherlands, a pioneer in the field of genetic risk evaluation, would provide an update in this area.

Availability of chromosome-specific probes and the recent introduction of fluorescence in Situ Hybridisation Technique (fish) has enabled scientists to visualise a variety of radiation induced chromosomal damage.

On the Japanese atom bomb survivors, Kher said, the absence of excess genetic disorders among the progeny of the survivors is consistent with low risk associatied with radiation exposure.

The radiation biologists of BARC said in the near future, it should be possible to clone genes predisposing human beings to the effects of radiation. Prof Christian Streffer from Germany would discuss the recent progress in this area, Kher said. (PTI)