The government decided to close the Saclay nuclear reactor in December 2015. This decision worries the National Academy of Medicine, which fears a shortage of medical imaging.
The issue was discussed earlier this year, but the decision postponed until later. On Monday, the government sent a written note to the Atomic Energy Commission. He announced his decision to close the Osiris nuclear reactor located on the Saclay site (Essonne) in December 2015. The National Academy of Medicine has already protested, insisting on the loss caused by such an event. The radioelements produced by the Saclay reactor make it possible to carry out more than 800,000 medical examinations per year, which are invaluable in detecting cancer and other diseases.
Insufficient production
Commissioned in 1966, Osiris is one of the oldest reactors in France. The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) has therefore recommended its shutdown for several years. But its usefulness for medical examinations created a dilemma for the government. He finally relied on a recent report from the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (IGAS) to make his decision. He indicates that the production of Osiris is not sufficient to prevent a shortage. Saclay’s production of radioelements represents 8% of world production capacity. But the reactor can double its production capacity in the event of failure of one of the other reactors. In its report, IGAS recommends the use of other medical imaging techniques. Professor Aurengo, president of the Academy of Medicine, is indignant at this: “Other medical imaging techniques are very expensive and above all ineffective on children. “
Effective techniques to detect diseases
Medical imaging refers to all the examinations which allow the reproduction of images of the human body: absorption of X-rays (scanner), nuclear magnetic resonance (radiography), reflection of ultrasound waves (ultrasound)… There are many techniques. Very effective in diagnosing diseases, these methods are also used in biomedical research into the functioning of the body. These radioelements, when used in the medical field, are often used today to perform scintigraphies, x-rays of the bone useful for detecting cancer.
Osiris is one of the nine reactors in the world (Canada, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Poland, Czech Republic) whose radioelements are used in medicine. The president of the Academy of Medicine insists on “the heavy responsibility” of the government whose decision will involve, according to him, “real losses of chance” for the patients. However, the situation should improve quickly. In 2018, the Osiris reactor will be replaced by Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône), and two other reactors will open in Germany and South Korea.
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