fbpx
Modern Sciences is a premier science journal that bridges the gap between science and its application to society.
Study Finds No Radiation-Induced Mutations in Chornobyl Dogs’ Genetics

Study Finds No Radiation-Induced Mutations in Chornobyl Dogs’ Genetics

At a Glance

  • A study examined genetic differences between dog populations near Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Chornobyl City, investigating the impact of long-term environmental contamination.
  • The study found no evidence of radiation-induced genetic mutations explaining the observed genetic differences between the two dog populations.
  • Researchers suggest that genetic differences likely result from selective pressures, with early survivors passing down advantageous traits that helped them thrive in the toxic environment.
  • Dogs near the NPP showed higher levels of certain tick-borne diseases, indicating differences in health impacts between the two populations due to environmental contaminants.
  • The study highlights the need for additional research into environmental contamination’s ecological and health effects on wildlife and humans in areas like Chornobyl.

A new study has revealed that genetic mutations are unlikely to explain the genetic differences observed between dog populations near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Chornobyl City. The research, conducted by scientists from North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Columbia University, aimed to understand the long-term effects of environmental contamination on these dogs, including radiation and other toxins. The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, provide important insights into how animals adapt to toxic environments over extended periods.

The researchers focused on two groups of free-roaming dogs that live within 10 miles of each other but have significant genetic differences. The scientists initially believed that radiation or other toxic chemicals from the 1986 Chornobyl disaster might have caused mutations in the dogs’ genomes. To investigate, they analyzed the dogs’ DNA and looked for signs of genetic mutations. However, despite their extensive study, they found no evidence of mutation accumulation that could explain the genetic distinctions between the two populations.

Instead of focusing solely on mutations, the study’s lead author, Megan Dillon, and her team suggested that selective pressures played a role. For example, it’s possible that the dogs that survived the initial radiation exposure had genetic traits that helped them cope with the environment. These traits were passed down through generations. “It’s possible that the dogs that survived long enough to breed already had genetic traits that increased their ability to survive,” Dillon explained in an NCSU press release. The research suggests that the dogs’ genetic differences result from these survival traits rather than environmental mutations.

The study also examined the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in these dog populations, which can provide further insight into how environmental contaminants affect health. The researchers found differences in the pathogens carried by ticks in both areas, with dogs near the NPP showing higher levels of certain diseases. This additional research, published in Parasites & Vectors, highlights the long-term ecological effects of environmental contamination in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The researchers believe that further studies are needed to understand better how such environmental factors affect wildlife and human health in contaminated areas.


References

  • Peake, T. & North Carolina State University. (2025, January 13). Chernobyl dogs’ genetic differences not due to mutation, study finds. Phys.Org; North Carolina State University. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-chornobyl-dogs-genetic-differences-due.html
  • Dillon, M. N., Dickey, A. N., Roberts, R. B., Betz, J. A., Mousseau, T. A., Kleiman, N. J., & Breen, M. (2024). Is increased mutation driving genetic diversity in dogs within the Chornobyl exclusion zone? PLOS ONE, 19(12), e0315244. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315244
  • Dillon, M. N., Qurollo, B. A., Thomas, R., Warren, M. E., Mousseau, T. A., Betz, J. A., Kleiman, N. J., & Breen, M. (2024). Contrasting pathogen prevalence between tick and dog populations at Chornobyl. Parasites & Vectors, 17(1), 470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06563-4
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts