英《新科学家》第87卷第1217期(1980年)报道:自由基(带有一个未配对电子的分子)对细胞可造成很大破坏,它能引起遗传变异,或导致包括癌症在内的疾病。对希腊患有遗传性血液病人的一项研究支持这一论点,同时也可导致对某些疾病的新疗法,这将涉及用一种能吸收和消除自由基的化学制剂。 The New Scientist, Vol. 87, No. 1217 (1980) reported that free radicals (molecules with one unpaired electron) can cause significant damage to cells by causing genetic variation or causing cancer, including cancer disease. A study of patients with hereditary blood in Greece supports this argument and may also lead to new therapies for certain diseases that involve the use of a chemical that absorbs and eliminates free radicals.