Nearly four decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the region’s feral dogs demonstrate remarkable genetic adaptations to survive in one of Earth’s most radioactive environments. Recent research reveals genetic changes that raise both scientific interest and concerns about long-term effects. A study by the University of South Carolina and the National Human Genome Research Institute examined DNA from 116 stray dogs in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). The research identified different genes in dogs living near the decommissioned power plant, compared to those residing just 10 miles away in Chernobyl City. “We have so much to learn from these animals,” … Continue reading Chernobyl’s Feral Dogs Show Unique Genetic Adaptations After 38 Years in Radioactive Environment