U.S. ignores only viable treatment for mass radiation casualties-places millions at needless risk

Jan. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- In a January 4 letter to International Journal of Radiation Biology, entitled "Consideration for the treatment of mass casualties based on pathology of the fatalities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" cord blood pioneer Professor Norman Ende M.D., makes a compelling case for making cord blood mankind's first line of medical defense in response to emergency, mass casualty situations resulting from nuclear attack, dirty bombs (terrorism), and nuclear accident.

[excerpt from Jan 4 online issue of International Journal of Radiation Biology]

"The current availability of advanced antibiotics and human cord blood for marrow replacement from the National Cord Blood depositories, coupled with readily available intravenous fluids, would, in our opinion, save 80 to 90% of those who survive the first 72 hours following an accidental or intentional nuclear detonation. In addition, the long term effects of radiation could be mitigated. This would require, however, hundreds of volunteers to administer fluids and an organized coordinated plan. Currently, such a national large scale coordinated plan does not exist." NORMAN ENDE

America--including New York--currently has no viable plan for medical response to mass radiation casualties due to nuclear attack, a dirty bomb, or a nuclear accident. Both Ende and a former Surgeon General of the Air Force (who also acted as NORAD's adviser regarding radiation response) presented Ende's plan to no avail to two administrations, GW Bush and Obama, a plan that far exceeds medical potentials offered by bone marrow transplantation while avoiding BM logistic limitations. Likewise, a New York committee charged with finding treatment solutions to mass radiation exposure also refused to consider Ende's proposal.

Concerning Federal usage of cord blood potentials, The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 stipulates:

"...to maintain and expand emergency medical contingency response capabilities in concert with Federal programs for response to threats of use of terrorist or military weapons that can damage marrow, such as ionizing radiation or chemical agents containing mustard, so that the capability of supporting patients with marrow damage from disease can [also] be used to to support [radiation] casualties with marrow damage."

Nonetheless, our government continues to ignore the unique and practical benefits cord blood offers for this nightmarish threat. As recently as last February, representatives of the current administration declined to move on this matter despite the urging of the former AF Surgeon General. Moreover, two weeks ago, a government liaison tried to dissuade him from informing the South Korean Military of this treatment option on the grounds that 'relatively few victims will die from radiation exposure due to a nuclear attack.'    

Understandably, the former AF Surgeon General was shocked by this denial of a scientific fact proven by Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

For more info, please contact:

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Norman Ende, M.D.
New Jersey School of Medicine
973 972 6289 lab
973 335 7220 home
973-704-8147 cell
normanende2002@yahoo.com
endeno@umdnj.edu
www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Quad/4303/ende.html
973 335 3078 home fax

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A former surrogate stem cells spokesperson for the GW Bush White House, writer James Kelly walks a worldview tightrope between the left and right while trying to shed light on critical issues that stand to affect the health of our planet and fellow man.