Illustrative image taken from Radio Ciudad Bandera

By María Josefina Arce 

In recent decades, the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques has been gaining ground in the world in the search for solutions to pressing problems affecting humanity.

Cuba has also inserted itself in this scenario, despite the obstacles imposed by the U.S. blockade.

Thus, in view of the threat posed by climate change, Cuba is developing the ISOVIDA project, implemented by the Center for Environmental Studies of Cienfuegos, supported by other institutions such as the Center for Marine Research and the Agency for Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies.

Photo taken from ceac.cu

This initiative is in accordance with the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources, in the State Plan to Confront Climate Change, known as Tarea Vida.

 It seeks to generate reliable data on ocean acidification, temperature and sea level rise, problems to which Cuba is highly vulnerable due to its insular condition.

In this and other projects, cooperation with the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has been essential.

Thanks to its support, Cuba has the first laboratory in Latin America and the Caribbean capable of detecting ciguatoxins, biotoxins responsible for the most frequent non-bacterial food poisoning caused by seafood.

The Laboratory provides analytical services to nations in the area, where ciguatoxins have been a serious problem for years.

Cuba is also participating in a study called NUTEC PLASTIC, which aims to help integrate nuclear and isotopic techniques to address challenges related to plastic contamination.

Photo taken from Cuba in Brief

But nuclear and isotopic techniques are also used in our country in other areas such as health, given their valuable contribution to the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

In recent years, radioguided surgery has been introduced in Cuban health institutions, which increases the effectiveness of surgical intervention, especially in cases of cancer.

Supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Cuba has taken notable steps in the introduction of nuclear and isotopic techniques in various areas to advance the nation and contribute to the welfare of its citizens.