2016/05/16 by R.J. Pentreath · 1 citation
Engineering · Environmental Science · Medicine · #Animal welfare #Biology #Context (archaeology) #Environmental health #Harm #Law #Medical physics #Medicine #Nuclear and radioactivity studies #Nuclear medicine #Political science #Radiation Dose and Imaging #Radiation protection #Radioactive contamination and transfer #Radiological weapon #Surgery #Veterinary medicine
paper · doi:10.1088/0952-4746/36/2/n42
openalex publication_date 2016/05/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
It is apparent that most of the techniques that make use of ionising radiation in human medical practices are now being applied in veterinary medicine. Steps are being taken by the IAEA to provide guidance for humans involved in such practices, but there appears to be no international initiative that considers the protection or welfare of the animal as a patient. There is therefore a risk that the deliberate exposure of an animal, particularly in the therapeutic application of radiation, could do more harm than good. In the light of recent developments in dosimetric modelling and the application of known effects of radiation on different types of animals, for the purposes of the protection of biota in an environmental context, it is argued that it would be sensible now to start a serious consideration of this issue. Some suggestions are made with regard to a number of areas that could be considered further, both specifically and with regard to the field of radiological protection as a whole.