Bruce Power expanding medical isotope production
Bruce Power produces 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, but they are quickly making a name for themselves in the world of medical isotopes.
“Anytime you go to the doctors or dentist office, anywhere in the world, there’s a 40 per cent chance the isotope used to sterilize your medical equipment was made in Tiverton, Ontario. Population: 2,000,” says Bruce Power president and CEO, Mike Rencheck.
The world’s largest nuclear station, known for creating electricity, is rapidly expanding its medical isotope business, a by-product of the nuclear fission process.
They’ve just signed a memorandum of understanding with Boston Scientific to look into the feasibility of producing yttrium-90 to fight liver cancer. Bruce Power already produces cobalt-60, used to sterilize medical equipment and lutetium-177, used to fight prostate cancer.
“About 800,000 people a year get diagnosed with liver cancer, and with this treatment, we can provide them hope — with a cure,” says Rencheck.
Not only can the isotopes change lives, their production can create a lot of jobs, especially in an ever changing political climate.
“Many of the isotopes that are used in medical procedures now are coming from Russia. And, quite honestly, a lot of countries around the world are questioning whether or not that makes ethical sense at this time,” says Ontario’s Minister of Energy, Todd Smith.
Smith sees Ontario becoming a “superpower” when it comes to medical isotope production — and it’s a lucrative and life altering industry that is only growing, with Bruce Power looking to lead the charge.
“Our reactors are kind of like if we compared other forms of medical isotope production, like a match, compared to the sun. We can make isotopes at a scale which really makes it possible to make the treatments plentiful and affordable,” says Rencheck.
As they work towards making yttrium-90, Rencheck says Bruce Power will continue making cobalt-60, and will very soon become the first nuclear power operator in the world to enter commercial production of lutetium-177.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.