2011.4.3 01:30
Nuclear Safety Committee rejects the need to collect hematopoietic stem cells. Political consideration before human lives?
It has been revealed on 2nd that the nuclear safety committee, within the Cabinet Office, had decided it was not necessary to collect autologous hematopoietic stem cells from workers prior to their engaging in restoring the radiation leaking TEPCO Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Hematopoietic stem cells are considered to be effective in treating blood forming function failures at times of exposure to radiation. Experts point out the need of prior collection in case of the workers’ mass exposure to radiation. The safety committee is in charge of the safety regulations of nuclear power, advising the Prime Minister of the standards but experts are criticizing them of neglecting the lives of the workers.
According to the safety committee internal memo obtained by Sankei Shinbun, the reasons given for not collecting prior at present time are (1)the additional mental and physical pressures it would put on the workers (2)there are no agreement within international organizations (3)lack sufficient understandings from the general public of Japan.
Hematopoietic stem cells are a source of white blood cells in the blood. They are present in bone marrows. If a whole body was exposed to radiation, the function to make blood cells will fail. However, if autologous hematopoietic stem cells were collected prior, frozen and stored, they can be transplanted to restore the blood forming functions in a body.
In the case of Rinkai accident at Tokai Mura, Ibaraki Pref. in 1999, two workers received hematopoietic stem cell transplant from donors but later died. A person’s own cells would prevent complications and speed up the recovery. The cost to bear by the individual is around 200,000 yen and no operation is needed.
Prior collection of hematopoietic stem cells was proposed by the Japan Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Society and the National Cancer Research Centre. On 28th of last month, Director of haematology at Toranomon Hospital (Minato ward, Tokyo Pref), Shuichi Taniguchi, who is involved in transplant medicine, visited the prime ministerial residence. He suggested to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sengoku that hematopoietic stem cells should be collected, to which Mr. Sengoku is said to have shown understanding and positive attitude.
The decision by the safety committee of not collecting hematopoietic stem cells prior, is viewed by the young opposition members of the parliament as a political stunt. “Preparing the workers based upon the premise that they will be exposed would create uncertainties among the general public of Japan and give rise to suspicion from other countries in the world.”
