206 Susanne Bauer
Kazakhstan as well as a “system of genetic monitoring.” 47 The National Genetic
Registry was introduced by 1998, following a “Law on Semipalatinsk” published in 1992. 48 A key goal of those monitoring practices was to study potentially radiation-induced “congenital malformations.” 49 After 10 years of data
collection in the National Genetic Registry, geneticist Berezina reported a
significant increase of major and multiple congenital malformations pointing
to the influence of environmental conditions. 50 These were most pronounced
in the East Kazakhstan region, which included the Semipalatinsk fallout area
as well as the chemical and nuclear production sites of Ust-Kamenogorsk.
With such monitoring data, medical scientists envision effective public health
responses, in terms of “dynamic response systems to the evolving of the
genetic disease burden in human populations.” 51 It was at the level of sciences
and respective memory work that Kazakhstani scientists were called upon
to contribute to constituting the future of a fully modern, independent state
that now dealt with the Soviet past on its own.
Chromosomal Memory: Molecular Markers
of Radiation Effects
Researchers in the labs of the Center for the Protection for Mother and
Child Health used molecular biology and genetics – traditional methods
like cytogenetics or newer techniques based on polymerase-chain-reaction
(PCR), to assess exposure effects in several ways. More directly related to the
area of research and clinical work at the Center was prenatal testing and the
use of cytogenetics, i.e., the microscopic analysis of changes in chromatids
and chromosomes, but also studies of health effects related to exposure to
chemicals or radiation. The techniques established at the Center mostly for
clinical prenatal testing – karyotyping – can also be used to study radiation
effects, especially those of recent or ongoing exposure. Cytogenetics labs
were, hence, key to the study of chromosomal aberrations caused by radiation. 52 Population geneticists at the Center for the Protection for Mother and
Child Health in Almaty used cytogenetic tools to investigate genetic effects
close to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. Relating and geographically mapping rates of congenital malformations, scientists strived to document radiation damage. 53 This presents a mode of radiation effects visualizing, projected
on a geographic grid – mapping out a topography of chromosomal change.
In the Semipalatinsk region, a separate parallel research infrastructure
had operated under secrecy and conducted research on radiation related diseases in the areas exposed to fallout from nuclear testing since the late 1950s.
Additionally, the institutes on the Semipalatinsk polygon were in charge of
nuclear technology as well as radiation protection and radiation monitoring. 54 Furthermore, the Russian program on research and compensation for
those affected by fallout exposures due to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site
in the Altai region, also included some cytogenetic studies carried out by
researchers based in Moscow and at the Center for Medical Radiation in
Kazakhstan as well as a “system of genetic monitoring.” 47 The National Genetic
Registry was introduced by 1998, following a “Law on Semipalatinsk” published in 1992. 48 A key goal of those monitoring practices was to study potentially radiation-induced “congenital malformations.” 49 After 10 years of data
collection in the National Genetic Registry, geneticist Berezina reported a
significant increase of major and multiple congenital malformations pointing
to the influence of environmental conditions. 50 These were most pronounced
in the East Kazakhstan region, which included the Semipalatinsk fallout area
as well as the chemical and nuclear production sites of Ust-Kamenogorsk.
With such monitoring data, medical scientists envision effective public health
responses, in terms of “dynamic response systems to the evolving of the
genetic disease burden in human populations.” 51 It was at the level of sciences
and respective memory work that Kazakhstani scientists were called upon
to contribute to constituting the future of a fully modern, independent state
that now dealt with the Soviet past on its own.
Chromosomal Memory: Molecular Markers
of Radiation Effects
Researchers in the labs of the Center for the Protection for Mother and
Child Health used molecular biology and genetics – traditional methods
like cytogenetics or newer techniques based on polymerase-chain-reaction
(PCR), to assess exposure effects in several ways. More directly related to the
area of research and clinical work at the Center was prenatal testing and the
use of cytogenetics, i.e., the microscopic analysis of changes in chromatids
and chromosomes, but also studies of health effects related to exposure to
chemicals or radiation. The techniques established at the Center mostly for
clinical prenatal testing – karyotyping – can also be used to study radiation
effects, especially those of recent or ongoing exposure. Cytogenetics labs
were, hence, key to the study of chromosomal aberrations caused by radiation. 52 Population geneticists at the Center for the Protection for Mother and
Child Health in Almaty used cytogenetic tools to investigate genetic effects
close to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. Relating and geographically mapping rates of congenital malformations, scientists strived to document radiation damage. 53 This presents a mode of radiation effects visualizing, projected
on a geographic grid – mapping out a topography of chromosomal change.
In the Semipalatinsk region, a separate parallel research infrastructure
had operated under secrecy and conducted research on radiation related diseases in the areas exposed to fallout from nuclear testing since the late 1950s.
Additionally, the institutes on the Semipalatinsk polygon were in charge of
nuclear technology as well as radiation protection and radiation monitoring. 54 Furthermore, the Russian program on research and compensation for
those affected by fallout exposures due to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site
in the Altai region, also included some cytogenetic studies carried out by
researchers based in Moscow and at the Center for Medical Radiation in