Atomic Bombs in the News
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has captured the imaginations of thousands of viewers with over six hundred million dollars of revenue made in the global box office. Depicting the work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film powerfully captures the construction of the atomic bombs used to end the second World War. However, what many viewers might not know is that the two atomic bombs, “Little Boy” and “Fat Man,” had profound genetic implications.
Effects of the Bombs
Although the immediate consequences of the atomic bombs were devastating, decades later, the effects of radiation continue to affect the areas of and surrounding Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Radiation causes mutations in reproductive cells which then have the potential to be passed down to subsequent generations. This appears via birth defects, immune deficiencies, susceptibility to cancer, and other profound health issues.
Going Forward
Studies are ongoing to further understand the effects of the atomic bombs on Japanese populations. As the history of the atomic bombs gains further attention, it is important to recognize the repercussions that living people continue to experience from them today.
