There's not a huge amount of evidence that the hormesis hypothesis is correct, but there is some, yes. Nevertheless, even in the absence of a benefit to the individual, there is little doubt that low levels of radiation, called background radiation, are a large part of the very driving force of evolution itself. Organisms have evolved a large number of defenses against low-level radiation, such as the ability to repair DNA, but still ionizing radiation induces mutations from time to time, and if these mutations prove beneficial to the organism in some way, it may have some slight reproductive advantage over other organisms. In this way, evolution slowly progresses and new species arise. In a very real sense we owe our existence to radiation, including the incessant bombardment of cosmic rays.
Beeblebrox.420 Reviewed by Beeblebrox.420 on . cosmic rays nothing to do with marijuana in this thread, unfortunately. this topic struck interest in me the moment i heard it. it's a theory that invisible cosmic rays that come from outer space come down to Earth, where they are inhaled by human beings, World wide. the astronomers believe that these cosmic rays have the ability to destroy chromosomes in the dna strand...thus, altering the persons dna. suddenly this thought of being able to produce cosmic rays clouded my head. what if, we could Rating: 5