1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:36,659 --> 00:00:40,097 My country is like a dream Loveliest in the world 4 00:00:40,377 --> 00:00:43,895 Written on flower buds And in the songs we sing 5 00:00:44,455 --> 00:00:47,973 Greetings are holly here In this land of ours 6 00:00:48,253 --> 00:00:51,731 The land where brotherhood Blossoms eternally 7 00:00:51,771 --> 00:00:55,290 I love your river Dniester And your misty woods 8 00:00:55,370 --> 00:01:01,367 We all sing your name We all praise you! 9 00:01:01,487 --> 00:01:06,485 You, my all, Moldova! 10 00:01:07,364 --> 00:01:10,922 To you my deepest yearnings Wherever I would go, 11 00:01:11,002 --> 00:01:14,481 You'll be in my heart I will cherish you always! 12 00:01:14,681 --> 00:01:18,199 Everything I do to you I will devote! 13 00:01:18,199 --> 00:01:21,837 You, the luckiest of all Soviet Daughters! 14 00:01:21,837 --> 00:01:25,276 I love your river Dniester And your misty woods 15 00:01:25,276 --> 00:01:28,754 We all sing your name We all praise you, Moldova! 16 00:01:29,394 --> 00:01:32,192 We all praise you! 17 00:01:32,192 --> 00:01:35,631 You, my all, Moldova! 18 00:01:43,227 --> 00:01:48,025 The 1950s, beginning of the Cold War. 19 00:01:50,304 --> 00:01:53,303 After Stalin's death Nikita Khrushchev becomes the leader 20 00:01:53,383 --> 00:01:55,382 of the Soviet Communist Party 21 00:01:56,581 --> 00:01:59,340 He aims for the Soviet Union to become 22 00:01:59,380 --> 00:02:02,578 first worldwide in scientific and technical development. 23 00:02:03,658 --> 00:02:06,137 The cosmos is declared Soviet property. 24 00:02:09,575 --> 00:02:13,013 A Soviet Spaceship defies gravity 25 00:02:13,133 --> 00:02:15,892 and becomes the sun's first artificial satellite, 26 00:02:16,172 --> 00:02:18,970 the first man-made planet. 27 00:02:19,410 --> 00:02:21,409 These kids were the first to utter 28 00:02:21,569 --> 00:02:23,808 the hitherto unknown word: RAKETA. 29 00:02:24,088 --> 00:02:27,806 Who knows, maybe they will also be the first starship pilots? 30 00:02:28,406 --> 00:02:32,124 After conquering the cosmos, Khrushchev wants 31 00:02:32,244 --> 00:02:35,243 to overcome the United States here on Earth. 32 00:02:35,682 --> 00:02:38,961 Following the party orders, scientists take over agriculture. 33 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:43,559 Mathematics and physics take over nature. 34 00:02:44,039 --> 00:02:48,037 The future belonges to research and scientific experiments. 35 00:02:48,317 --> 00:02:51,435 - In the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory of the Moldovan Academy of Sciences, 36 00:02:51,475 --> 00:02:54,114 we asked professor Adlov to explain how scholars 37 00:02:54,274 --> 00:02:55,713 will meet this year's Congress. 38 00:02:56,153 --> 00:02:59,311 - Soviet scientists were tasked by the party 39 00:02:59,311 --> 00:03:03,029 to take the lead in all fields of science. 40 00:03:04,109 --> 00:03:06,108 The small Moldovan republic 41 00:03:06,428 --> 00:03:09,026 was part of the Great Soviet Empire, 42 00:03:09,346 --> 00:03:13,424 being 14th largest among the 15 Soviet Republics. 43 00:03:16,103 --> 00:03:18,022 Under the new economic policy 44 00:03:18,022 --> 00:03:23,299 Moldova is ordered to exponentially grow production in all branches of agriculture. 45 00:03:24,259 --> 00:03:27,737 - Milk farm chief Maria Cazac, has shown a burning ambition 46 00:03:27,857 --> 00:03:31,855 to fight for even higher productivity and do her best in outracing 47 00:03:31,855 --> 00:03:36,413 the United States in dairy and meat production per capita. 48 00:03:36,893 --> 00:03:41,131 - So we can outrun the United States as soon as possible. 49 00:03:45,129 --> 00:03:49,567 Moldova and its lands passed through an overnight industrial shock. 50 00:03:50,966 --> 00:03:56,963 To meet party plans, even rivers were forced to flow uphill. 51 00:04:04,439 --> 00:04:08,437 When I was born, Moldova was still part of the Soviet Union. 52 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,839 My family was big and united. 53 00:04:21,158 --> 00:04:24,757 At the holidays all of us used to gather at my grandparents' 54 00:04:39,869 --> 00:04:46,546 I spent a good part of my childhood at my grandma, Olimpiada's, 55 00:04:46,946 --> 00:04:49,265 She was a biology teacher. 56 00:04:49,944 --> 00:04:54,902 I remember her bringing a microscope from school, during summer vacations 57 00:04:54,942 --> 00:04:57,940 so I could study natural processes. 58 00:04:58,180 --> 00:05:02,578 Next to the house, I had a small garden. It was all my own. 59 00:05:02,618 --> 00:05:06,816 There, I used to seed and nurture crops till they were fully grown. 60 00:05:11,853 --> 00:05:15,372 A few years ago, my grandmother died of pancreatic cancer. 61 00:05:20,729 --> 00:05:25,727 I've noticed that this terrible illness spread significantly in recent decades. 62 00:05:29,924 --> 00:05:34,162 I remember Grandma telling us about strange secret experiments 63 00:05:34,282 --> 00:05:38,280 in Moldova's collective farms during Soviet times... 64 00:05:44,637 --> 00:05:47,915 I wonder: is there a connection between those experiments 65 00:05:47,955 --> 00:05:52,953 and the exponential growth of cancer illnesses in the past half century? 66 00:07:03,398 --> 00:07:09,395 - Man is what he eats, breathes and even thinks. 67 00:07:11,713 --> 00:07:15,272 I love cats, I just adore them. 68 00:07:15,511 --> 00:07:19,509 My cat will never eat a store bought sausage, 69 00:07:19,589 --> 00:07:21,588 which I might find tasty. 70 00:07:21,628 --> 00:07:23,187 You know, a wurster! 71 00:07:23,187 --> 00:07:27,825 She smells it but ignores it, even though she is hungry. 72 00:07:27,865 --> 00:07:29,864 That's some instinct! 73 00:07:30,264 --> 00:07:35,261 Once I brought sprats and shared some with my cat. 74 00:07:35,381 --> 00:07:39,939 She didn't even smell them. Some hedgehog came and ate them. 75 00:07:40,618 --> 00:07:47,095 Doubtlessly, technical progress had an amazing effect on the quality of life, 76 00:07:47,255 --> 00:07:53,732 as well as diseases, causing a lot of new illnesses to appear. 77 00:07:53,931 --> 00:07:58,849 The main cause of progress is the increase of population. 78 00:07:58,849 --> 00:08:03,606 More population means more food. 79 00:08:03,606 --> 00:08:08,604 For more food, we need to genetically modify corn cobs to grow in size, 80 00:08:08,604 --> 00:08:11,602 to a half meter, for instance. 81 00:08:12,162 --> 00:08:18,159 Unfortunately, the human species ages, just like any other. 82 00:08:18,639 --> 00:08:24,636 Every genetic reproduction cycle works like a software program. 83 00:08:25,075 --> 00:08:30,073 If this "software" is attacked by "viruses", just like with a computer, 84 00:08:30,273 --> 00:08:36,269 be it food, radiation or magnetic fields, then this program could malfunction. 85 00:08:36,469 --> 00:08:39,028 Basically, that's how cancer acts. 86 00:08:39,028 --> 00:08:43,026 A cell with a function, be it of the liver, muscles, lungs 87 00:08:43,266 --> 00:08:46,864 must, following reproduction, specialise in the same function. 88 00:08:46,864 --> 00:08:51,621 But if its program malfunctions, then it switches back to its initial programming, 89 00:08:51,621 --> 00:08:55,259 becomes a big cell, grows and destroys surrounding cells thus generating Cancer. 90 00:09:02,775 --> 00:09:05,614 - Good afternoon, some tomatoes, please? 91 00:09:08,492 --> 00:09:10,011 - Which ones? 92 00:09:10,131 --> 00:09:12,130 - Pink, please. 93 00:09:12,130 --> 00:09:13,130 - A kilo or two? 94 00:09:13,130 --> 00:09:14,769 - Two, please. - All right. 95 00:09:21,605 --> 00:09:23,724 - Where are they from? 96 00:09:23,964 --> 00:09:25,723 - Orhei. 97 00:09:25,723 --> 00:09:28,722 - I wondered if you know anyone... 98 00:09:30,241 --> 00:09:35,238 ... who's growing them traditionally, you know, seed to seed. 99 00:09:35,518 --> 00:09:38,636 - No, currently hybrids rule the day. 100 00:09:38,636 --> 00:09:40,635 Seed to seed ones are scarce. 101 00:09:43,474 --> 00:09:46,752 - Maybe there are still folks who grow them traditionally. 102 00:09:46,752 --> 00:09:50,150 - Maybe some country granny with a passion, you know... 103 00:09:56,507 --> 00:09:59,505 - Hi, 2 kilos of onions, please! 104 00:10:03,103 --> 00:10:08,380 - I wonder if you know anyone growing tomatoes naturally. 105 00:10:11,019 --> 00:10:12,778 - I do, myself, from Dubasarii Vechi. 106 00:10:12,778 --> 00:10:16,736 - Seed to seed, not hybrid. 107 00:10:17,535 --> 00:10:19,614 - This is not done anymore, no harvest. 108 00:10:19,614 --> 00:10:20,973 - No harvest? 109 00:10:20,973 --> 00:10:23,972 - None! My mother in law, lost 20 years on that. 110 00:10:24,132 --> 00:10:25,731 - No harvest. 111 00:10:25,731 --> 00:10:27,450 - How did they grow them before? 112 00:10:27,450 --> 00:10:30,448 - Before is past, you know. 113 00:10:31,448 --> 00:10:33,487 - Pardon? 114 00:10:35,885 --> 00:10:40,883 - Before, seeds were seeds, tomatoes were tomatoes, 115 00:10:43,481 --> 00:10:48,479 now everything is made from soy... Hybrids, everywhere. 116 00:10:51,277 --> 00:10:55,755 - We're looking for someone who still practices traditional breeding. 117 00:10:56,155 --> 00:11:01,152 - Nowadays seeds have codes, not names. 118 00:11:01,632 --> 00:11:04,630 No more variety names. 119 00:11:22,020 --> 00:11:26,018 - Such is the specificity of man, that he needs to control everything, 120 00:11:26,018 --> 00:11:30,616 to have the feeling that nature would be lost without him, 121 00:11:30,616 --> 00:11:34,613 although nature evolves very well without him. 122 00:11:34,773 --> 00:11:39,771 - Could you tell us more on biodiversity and its role? 123 00:11:40,130 --> 00:11:44,368 - It is the diversity of everything alive. 124 00:11:44,368 --> 00:11:52,364 If we look specifically at agriculture and focus on the last hundred years, 125 00:11:53,483 --> 00:12:00,479 we'll notice we lost three quarters of our agricultural biodiversity. 126 00:12:01,759 --> 00:12:05,756 That would equal 75%. 127 00:12:06,396 --> 00:12:11,393 This means that if you used to buy tomatoes from the farmers at the marketplace, 128 00:12:12,393 --> 00:12:19,389 and you had 10 tomatoes, now you only have 2, one red and maybe one pink. 129 00:12:19,629 --> 00:12:25,385 Many disappeared or were somehow erased... 130 00:12:25,385 --> 00:12:30,143 ...by the Soviet block breed identity. 131 00:12:53,450 --> 00:12:57,967 - Storms aren't solely to blame for the death of this wheat crop. 132 00:13:01,525 --> 00:13:06,083 Man created a variety, 133 00:13:06,762 --> 00:13:09,361 man cultivated a heavy spike, 134 00:13:09,361 --> 00:13:12,879 but failed to give the straw strength. 135 00:13:14,398 --> 00:13:17,516 The breeder's mission begins again. 136 00:13:18,476 --> 00:13:22,633 Again he must examine millions of varieties 137 00:13:22,633 --> 00:13:28,030 until he finds one or two with the necessary properties. 138 00:13:28,390 --> 00:13:31,348 Here's what "Lenin" award laureate, 139 00:13:31,348 --> 00:13:34,347 Nikolay Dubinin, has to say. 140 00:13:35,026 --> 00:13:40,023 - Indeed, crops with useful features for agriculture 141 00:13:40,223 --> 00:13:42,782 are seldom met in nature. 142 00:13:42,982 --> 00:13:48,978 Thus, in creating new varieties, breeders face hereditary conservatism. 143 00:13:51,377 --> 00:13:54,375 May this dependency be decreased? 144 00:13:54,975 --> 00:13:58,973 Modifying chromosomes leads to Mutation, 145 00:13:58,973 --> 00:14:02,491 thus creating new qualities in plants. 146 00:14:02,491 --> 00:14:06,608 Mutations may be the result of chromosomal changes, 147 00:14:06,608 --> 00:14:10,806 both chemical and structural. 148 00:14:11,245 --> 00:14:15,843 If breeders could willingly cause gene mutations, 149 00:14:16,003 --> 00:14:18,202 and change chromosome structures, 150 00:14:18,202 --> 00:14:23,199 then they will control the plants' hereditary change in nature. 151 00:14:24,638 --> 00:14:29,155 So, how to enter the cell's molecular structures? 152 00:14:29,555 --> 00:14:34,552 Radioactivity can do that. 153 00:14:41,028 --> 00:14:44,506 It is a wonderful molecular surgical instrument. 154 00:14:46,905 --> 00:14:50,903 It produces the finest operations inside chromosomes, 155 00:14:51,782 --> 00:14:55,780 modifies gene chemistry, rebuilds their structure. 156 00:14:57,539 --> 00:15:01,337 The cell gains new properties 157 00:15:01,456 --> 00:15:06,973 that become stable features of a radioactive mutant. 158 00:15:10,531 --> 00:15:15,528 - Tell us about the beginnings of radiobiology in Moldova. 159 00:15:16,128 --> 00:15:21,965 - I remember radiobiology experiments at my institute, back in 64-65. 160 00:15:21,965 --> 00:15:25,962 In the beginning, when I was still a student. 161 00:15:30,999 --> 00:15:36,636 For obtaining various mutations, we first used liquid mutagens 162 00:15:36,636 --> 00:15:41,633 like radioactive phosphorus and sulphur 163 00:15:42,273 --> 00:15:46,550 mutants were further used to get hybrids 164 00:15:46,550 --> 00:15:51,867 which would be planted on thousands of land hectares, 165 00:15:52,507 --> 00:15:55,265 and that's how it began. 166 00:15:55,945 --> 00:16:02,940 Then, in 67-68, they brought in more powerful machinery. 167 00:16:18,651 --> 00:16:23,608 - Currently everyone is concerned with creating hi-tech robots. 168 00:16:24,248 --> 00:16:30,244 We are creating "plant robots" the very same way. 169 00:16:33,122 --> 00:16:37,600 - Could you please tell us about the history of radiobiology? 170 00:16:38,559 --> 00:16:45,035 How did man come to the ability to modify crops, specifically? 171 00:16:47,274 --> 00:16:52,271 - After 1900, Genetics started developing in a major way as a science. 172 00:16:52,271 --> 00:16:56,509 Researches were also made by Russian Scientists. 173 00:16:56,509 --> 00:17:02,505 A massive contribution, was that of Iosif Rapoport 174 00:17:04,224 --> 00:17:07,822 and also an enormous contribution of Dubinin. 175 00:17:07,822 --> 00:17:13,818 Based on research on drosophila melanogaster and other insects, 176 00:17:13,978 --> 00:17:19,854 he noticed that under Gamma ray influence eye colour and wing form may change 177 00:17:19,854 --> 00:17:24,851 to a great extent, just like all other features. 178 00:17:26,650 --> 00:17:32,647 Thus they concluded that Gamma rays produce mutations. 179 00:17:36,684 --> 00:17:39,842 - After the war, a big group of scientists 180 00:17:39,922 --> 00:17:45,439 from across the Soviet Union, 181 00:17:45,599 --> 00:17:49,397 were sent to Moldova. 182 00:17:49,437 --> 00:17:53,314 I must mention that Moldova 183 00:17:53,354 --> 00:17:57,871 was among the Soviet Union's best equipped 184 00:17:57,911 --> 00:18:03,388 radiobiology research centers. 185 00:18:05,147 --> 00:18:10,144 - The beans that used to grow in Moldova 186 00:18:11,063 --> 00:18:15,061 were not suitable for mechanised picking, 187 00:18:15,221 --> 00:18:21,217 The beans layed on the ground and it had big grains. 188 00:18:22,656 --> 00:18:27,653 We needed to create a variety that would grow straight up, 189 00:18:28,612 --> 00:18:32,690 with smaller grains, 190 00:18:33,410 --> 00:18:39,406 which could be cultivated by tractor and harvested by combine. 191 00:18:39,846 --> 00:18:44,842 We picked a Mexican black bean variety, 192 00:18:46,881 --> 00:18:50,839 and exposed them to Gamma rays. 193 00:18:50,879 --> 00:18:54,876 The mutants obtained 194 00:18:55,116 --> 00:18:59,473 stood up better. 195 00:19:00,793 --> 00:19:06,789 We also changed the colour of the seeds from black to white. 196 00:19:08,388 --> 00:19:15,383 We then exposed the seeds again to Caesium rays 197 00:19:15,543 --> 00:19:22,539 and obtained a variety with straight up branches. 198 00:19:25,137 --> 00:19:31,134 And you could see fences of peas on the fields where it was sown. 199 00:19:31,134 --> 00:19:35,371 All in one size and shape! 200 00:19:37,370 --> 00:19:40,807 That's what we did... 201 00:19:42,846 --> 00:19:47,883 - We went to Moscow in '68 202 00:19:47,883 --> 00:19:53,879 and brought the Kolos radioactive unit to irradiating seeds before planting. 203 00:19:57,637 --> 00:20:02,594 This was the first such equipment and was mounted on 204 00:20:02,594 --> 00:20:08,870 an old American built Studebaker Truck. 205 00:20:09,429 --> 00:20:12,108 This was our first unit. 206 00:20:12,108 --> 00:20:16,065 We used to call her Marusia. 207 00:20:16,105 --> 00:20:22,101 She was quite obedient. Marusia, Marusia. 208 00:20:22,661 --> 00:20:26,099 That's how the name Marusia stuck. 209 00:20:26,858 --> 00:20:29,856 We later got other machines. 210 00:20:29,856 --> 00:20:34,134 We just called those Kolos, left them nameless. 211 00:20:35,173 --> 00:20:39,170 - Tell us what purpose did the machine serve? 212 00:20:39,530 --> 00:20:47,525 - It was sent here to prove that radiation may be applied in agriculture. 213 00:20:50,923 --> 00:20:54,321 - Which cultures did you treat with radiation, specifically? 214 00:20:54,321 --> 00:20:59,357 - Most often we irradiated corn seeds. 215 00:21:00,717 --> 00:21:05,434 To a smaller extent Sunflower seeds. 216 00:21:05,434 --> 00:21:10,590 Then oats, as well as wheat grains. 217 00:21:10,630 --> 00:21:16,147 We even treated pumpkin seeds at the Tiraspol Institute. 218 00:21:16,386 --> 00:21:18,385 Peas also. 219 00:21:19,944 --> 00:21:23,942 Let me show you a specific example. 220 00:21:23,942 --> 00:21:29,658 They are clearly illustrating how radiation quantitatively increased this culture's yield. 221 00:21:29,658 --> 00:21:33,655 Look how satisfied they were! 222 00:21:41,250 --> 00:21:47,246 Green the leaves of flower grow I love how they sing in Kotovsk 223 00:21:49,045 --> 00:21:55,041 Be they small kids or their grandads Be they beautiful girls or their strong lads 224 00:22:04,155 --> 00:22:10,151 Let this whole country of ours sing, About this wealthy life we have! 225 00:22:14,109 --> 00:22:20,145 - The main element of our machinery is the ionising chamber. 226 00:22:20,145 --> 00:22:26,541 Inside which there are tens of Cobalt 60 isotopes 227 00:22:26,900 --> 00:22:33,416 generating up to 1 million Roentgens per hour. 228 00:22:35,415 --> 00:22:39,572 Radio-stimulation usually applies to seeds before plantation. 229 00:22:39,612 --> 00:22:41,890 Imagine that seeds are sleeping. 230 00:22:41,930 --> 00:22:45,928 And we must wake them so they rise from the ground quickly. 231 00:22:46,527 --> 00:22:52,203 Thus, exposing seeds to a small dose of radiation will energize them. 232 00:22:52,203 --> 00:22:58,040 For a person, it's the equivalent of a strong coffee with a dash of Cognac. 233 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,357 By getting this stimulation, plants grow quickly, 234 00:23:01,437 --> 00:23:05,395 exceeding other plants' development. 235 00:23:06,594 --> 00:23:10,711 Further, however, plant development depends 236 00:23:10,711 --> 00:23:16,347 on environmental conditions, but an early start means faster growth. 237 00:23:16,387 --> 00:23:19,385 This is the stimulatory pre-planting dose. 238 00:23:19,385 --> 00:23:24,702 - Moldova was in a way lucky for having these people 239 00:23:24,702 --> 00:23:29,339 leading the science of Radiobiology. 240 00:23:29,379 --> 00:23:34,375 In case of corn, the pre-planting irradiation of seeds 241 00:23:34,775 --> 00:23:41,770 was practiced on half of Moldova's agricultural fields. 242 00:23:42,610 --> 00:23:48,605 I'm referring to the radioactive treatment of seeds with stimulatory doses 243 00:23:48,805 --> 00:23:54,242 that increased the yield of agricultural crops by 30%. 244 00:23:54,442 --> 00:23:57,440 - Can you tell us a bit about the generations? 245 00:23:57,559 --> 00:24:00,118 At which generation can mutations occur? 246 00:24:00,118 --> 00:24:04,595 Can mutations occur at the third generation, for example? 247 00:24:05,474 --> 00:24:09,631 - If mutation occurs, it is final. 248 00:24:09,791 --> 00:24:11,830 If you cut off a finger... 249 00:24:13,669 --> 00:24:16,547 it won't grow back. 250 00:24:17,186 --> 00:24:20,104 No way out. 251 00:24:20,104 --> 00:24:23,222 The same goes for mutation. 252 00:24:23,422 --> 00:24:27,779 If it hits a chromosome, 253 00:24:27,779 --> 00:24:33,335 it changes it forever. No way back! 254 00:24:33,335 --> 00:24:36,972 Thus mutation is stable. 255 00:24:37,132 --> 00:24:41,409 - Once, my research advisor and I radiated cotton, 256 00:24:41,449 --> 00:24:45,087 and obtained green cotton fiber. 257 00:24:45,087 --> 00:24:49,044 I asked him: what do we gained from that? 258 00:24:50,043 --> 00:24:56,039 He smiled, since he knew I was still young. 259 00:24:56,159 --> 00:25:00,156 The explanation was: 260 00:25:00,556 --> 00:25:04,633 Army camouflage is green. 261 00:25:04,673 --> 00:25:08,830 So, no need to paint it green. 262 00:25:08,830 --> 00:25:15,426 By using mutating dosage, we got phenomenal results with sunflower. 263 00:25:15,865 --> 00:25:21,861 Upon extraction, the sunflower oil taste 264 00:25:21,941 --> 00:25:28,017 was similar to the flavour of olive oil. 265 00:25:32,414 --> 00:25:34,412 Stefania Rares is singing. 266 00:25:34,532 --> 00:25:40,448 Mamma told me to dance with Just the lad wearing the nice clothes 267 00:25:40,448 --> 00:25:46,444 I’ll dance with the one I love, And don’t care what mama says! 268 00:25:46,564 --> 00:25:52,000 Whatever mamma says, I will dance with whomever i want! 269 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:57,996 I will dance and party on, Untill all my years have gone! 270 00:26:00,114 --> 00:26:04,032 - Evolution is a continuous process. 271 00:26:04,032 --> 00:26:09,028 It constantly creates and modifies all living things. 272 00:26:09,508 --> 00:26:13,785 Mutations are the main factor of evolution. 273 00:26:13,825 --> 00:26:19,141 However, the frequency of naturally occurring mutations is quite small. 274 00:26:19,141 --> 00:26:23,458 Yet, with the help of these radioactive equipment, we can increase 275 00:26:23,458 --> 00:26:28,654 mutation frequency hundreds and even thousands of times. 276 00:26:28,654 --> 00:26:34,050 Thus, we can accelerate the creation of any variety we would need from nature. 277 00:26:35,929 --> 00:26:38,447 - Tell us about this machinery, please. 278 00:26:38,447 --> 00:26:41,245 How does it work? 279 00:26:41,245 --> 00:26:43,683 What isotopes does it use? 280 00:26:43,683 --> 00:26:48,080 - The Stebel 3A machine, 281 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:53,836 works with Caesium 137 sources, 282 00:26:53,836 --> 00:27:00,191 generating 700-800 Roentgen units/minute, 283 00:27:00,191 --> 00:27:06,467 and we use it to blast seeds with radiation. 284 00:27:07,386 --> 00:27:12,502 It took great effort to find out the right dosage, 285 00:27:12,502 --> 00:27:18,578 to obtain the mutants we needed. 286 00:27:21,056 --> 00:27:24,693 - In Moscow they didn't get to identify 287 00:27:24,693 --> 00:27:27,971 radiation exposure durations necessary for agricultural crops. 288 00:27:28,051 --> 00:27:31,488 Later, here in Moldova we were basically forced 289 00:27:31,528 --> 00:27:34,726 to calculate the necessary dosage, 290 00:27:34,806 --> 00:27:40,162 be they 500 or 1000 Roentgen Units, based on each separate crop variety. 291 00:27:40,162 --> 00:27:46,238 Thus, by raising radiation exposure, we risked decreasing yields instead of increasing them. 292 00:27:57,230 --> 00:28:02,865 - I was transferred from the horticulture institute, 293 00:28:02,985 --> 00:28:07,502 to the botanical garden institute. 294 00:28:08,102 --> 00:28:14,097 There, I fell in love with local plants, especially flowers. 295 00:28:14,936 --> 00:28:21,012 I got 12 varieties of Iris with the help of radiation. 296 00:28:23,450 --> 00:28:29,006 These Iris flowers were of very high quality. 297 00:28:30,765 --> 00:28:35,841 They were lovely, drought and frost resistant, 298 00:28:38,239 --> 00:28:44,235 I was the breeder who created these flowers of unequal beauty in the world. 299 00:28:47,232 --> 00:28:50,510 Their unique beauty was even appreciated 300 00:28:50,510 --> 00:28:53,867 by the Moldova State Variety committee. 301 00:28:55,546 --> 00:28:59,623 - Tell us about the portable radiation units... 302 00:29:02,501 --> 00:29:08,097 - Our laboratory also used portable units for plant irradiation. 303 00:29:09,176 --> 00:29:15,731 A bit earlier you saw our RHM Gamma 20, a fixed type unit. 304 00:29:16,170 --> 00:29:20,207 But if the plant had to be irradiated in field conditions, 305 00:29:20,527 --> 00:29:28,521 then we carried these units in the field with a special stroller. 306 00:29:28,841 --> 00:29:34,876 We mounted them on tripods and proceeded to irradiate the plants. 307 00:29:34,916 --> 00:29:40,992 For example, we would blast the plants' reproductive organs, like the corn husk. 308 00:29:42,271 --> 00:29:47,507 Therefore, we used them to irradiate reproductive organs in field conditions, 309 00:29:47,507 --> 00:29:49,545 Do you understand? 310 00:29:49,585 --> 00:29:53,782 The corn cob may not simply be picked and brought 311 00:29:53,782 --> 00:29:57,579 to the laboratory for treatment with RHM Gamma 20 and planted back... 312 00:29:57,619 --> 00:30:00,896 The cob is the female reproductive organ in corn 313 00:30:00,936 --> 00:30:05,972 and we used this equipment to irradiate the corn ovuli. 314 00:30:07,611 --> 00:30:13,686 Thus not the matured cob, but the barely incipient one was irradiated. 315 00:30:15,925 --> 00:30:18,283 In its meiotic stage. 316 00:30:20,241 --> 00:30:24,798 - You spoke about cases when you radiated corn with the Kolos unit... 317 00:30:24,878 --> 00:30:26,117 - Yes. 318 00:30:26,437 --> 00:30:32,672 ... with Marussia, and the unit jammed. 319 00:30:32,992 --> 00:30:35,070 Could you expand on that? 320 00:30:35,150 --> 00:30:42,144 - We used to receive corn seeds from the factory, in 25 kg bags. 321 00:30:43,863 --> 00:30:47,860 There were 2 labels inside. 322 00:30:48,899 --> 00:30:53,895 When we placed bags in the irradiation container, 323 00:30:54,614 --> 00:31:00,170 sometimes labels inside could jam the ionising mechanism. 324 00:31:00,210 --> 00:31:05,246 In such cases, I used to remove labels with my bare hands. 325 00:31:05,326 --> 00:31:09,443 From what I read, I was sure 326 00:31:09,643 --> 00:31:13,959 that my hands could resist up to 15 000 Roentgens, 327 00:31:13,999 --> 00:31:18,156 since blood circulation is low here. 328 00:31:18,236 --> 00:31:22,073 However if radiation were to hit your chest, 329 00:31:22,073 --> 00:31:27,069 500 Roentgens would make you a hopeless case for medicine. 330 00:31:27,309 --> 00:31:29,187 - Did you have such cases ? 331 00:31:29,587 --> 00:31:32,824 - I can only say that... 332 00:31:34,783 --> 00:31:41,297 some nasty warts would often appear on my hands, 333 00:31:42,736 --> 00:31:46,733 but they were gone in a few months. 334 00:31:47,612 --> 00:31:50,210 Then they would reappear. 335 00:31:50,210 --> 00:31:52,248 This is what I clearly observed about consequences on myself. 336 00:31:52,888 --> 00:31:59,083 - If radiation affects a person for a long time, 337 00:32:00,082 --> 00:32:06,077 their body could suffer fatal mutations 338 00:32:06,117 --> 00:32:11,034 that would lead to certain death. 339 00:32:13,072 --> 00:32:19,067 Thus, if people get exposed to excessive radiation they die. 340 00:32:19,147 --> 00:32:23,024 We also generate crop mutations, 341 00:32:23,623 --> 00:32:27,180 yet, we throw many of the mutants away, 342 00:32:27,180 --> 00:32:32,176 keeping only the ones we prefer. 343 00:32:33,535 --> 00:32:38,531 You can't do the same with the humans... 344 00:32:45,206 --> 00:32:51,201 - Most of my colleagues who worked in the biophysics lab 345 00:32:51,201 --> 00:32:55,197 are gone now. 346 00:32:55,677 --> 00:33:02,671 Almost no one left from my team... All died young... 347 00:33:03,990 --> 00:33:08,626 That's what working with radiation does. 348 00:33:15,540 --> 00:33:17,859 - The year is 1964. 349 00:33:17,899 --> 00:33:22,655 A delegation of Japanese scientists visits Moldova. 350 00:33:22,774 --> 00:33:25,612 They are accompanied by Moscow officials. 351 00:33:29,409 --> 00:33:35,484 Together with the party leadership, they visit a number of local collective farms. 352 00:33:38,841 --> 00:33:43,397 They also visit Onitcani village, in the Criuleni district. 353 00:33:46,994 --> 00:33:52,310 - Is there a connection between that visit and applying radioactive isotopes 354 00:33:52,310 --> 00:33:54,868 in Moldovan agriculture? 355 00:33:59,783 --> 00:34:02,621 - Who decided Moldova is the place? 356 00:34:03,340 --> 00:34:08,416 - Moldova was first among Soviet Republics 357 00:34:08,416 --> 00:34:12,493 in agricultural experiments. 358 00:34:14,611 --> 00:34:21,645 It started with the testing of various chemicals in the 50s-60s, 359 00:34:21,965 --> 00:34:25,961 and soon after an agreement was reached with Moscow 360 00:34:26,041 --> 00:34:31,596 that Moldova would be centre of radioactive breeding. 361 00:34:31,756 --> 00:34:35,793 They begin by using radioactive phosphorus and sulphur. 362 00:34:35,833 --> 00:34:41,828 Then, the Moscow Nuclear Agency began to heavily finance 363 00:34:41,868 --> 00:34:47,862 atomic gardening in Moldova. 364 00:34:47,902 --> 00:34:53,897 That's how radiation began to be implemented in Moldova's Agriculture. 365 00:34:56,215 --> 00:34:58,813 - Comrade Nikita Khrushchev's arrives to decorate 366 00:34:58,813 --> 00:35:01,690 the Republic with the "Order of Lenin" Award, 367 00:35:01,690 --> 00:35:04,688 He inspires the working people of our towns and villages 368 00:35:05,127 --> 00:35:08,644 to new heroic deeds in the name of communism. 369 00:35:11,921 --> 00:35:13,880 - Dear Comrades! 370 00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:17,317 The Moldovan people, 371 00:35:17,317 --> 00:35:21,593 with the brotherly help of all the peoples of the Soviet Union 372 00:35:21,993 --> 00:35:27,068 has achieved spectacular results in developing economy and culture. 373 00:35:27,748 --> 00:35:33,862 These results are highly prized by the Communist Party and the Soviet Government. 374 00:35:35,341 --> 00:35:40,456 For outstanding results in developing horticultural breeding practices, 375 00:35:40,736 --> 00:35:44,613 the increase of agricultural production, 376 00:35:44,733 --> 00:35:48,090 The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR 377 00:35:48,090 --> 00:35:52,686 has honoured the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova 378 00:35:52,726 --> 00:35:54,964 with the "Order of Lenin" Award. 379 00:35:57,761 --> 00:36:02,157 Allow me to once again congratulate you, dear comrades 380 00:36:02,157 --> 00:36:06,234 and the entire Moldovan people whom you represent, 381 00:36:06,514 --> 00:36:10,110 for your success and the award received, 382 00:36:10,470 --> 00:36:13,507 and to wish you further success and new awards. 383 00:36:19,342 --> 00:36:24,417 - Besides Kolos and other radioactive installations, 384 00:36:24,497 --> 00:36:29,533 a Gamma complex was built in Moldova. 385 00:36:29,533 --> 00:36:36,526 Rumour has it, that is the second Gamma complex in the world. 386 00:36:37,486 --> 00:36:41,362 There was another such complex in Japan in the 1930s. 387 00:36:41,362 --> 00:36:45,678 Imagine that! The Japanese working with radiation back in those days! 388 00:36:45,758 --> 00:36:47,756 Can you believe that ?! 389 00:36:47,916 --> 00:36:53,831 And now a second one in Moldova, much more advanced and sophisticated. 390 00:36:54,750 --> 00:36:58,906 An enormous circle with an all-round wall 391 00:36:58,986 --> 00:37:02,543 to prevent radioactivity from breaching the perimeter. 392 00:37:04,141 --> 00:37:09,736 - Tell us about the projects in radiobiology held here, in Moldova. 393 00:37:10,256 --> 00:37:12,374 - I don't remember them all. 394 00:37:12,374 --> 00:37:17,889 The Gamma Field was the main one, and various machines were made... 395 00:37:17,889 --> 00:37:24,003 They believed radiation could generate highly valuable mutants 396 00:37:24,043 --> 00:37:28,119 that would right all wrongs. 397 00:37:28,399 --> 00:37:31,596 And they also believed that radiation could stimulate 398 00:37:31,596 --> 00:37:35,193 certain processes in the plant. 399 00:37:40,548 --> 00:37:44,025 - I am Valery Akimov. 400 00:37:44,025 --> 00:37:48,940 I will be 72 next week. 401 00:37:50,658 --> 00:37:56,013 In the mid-70s, the construction of a unique Gamma Field began 402 00:37:56,013 --> 00:37:59,770 under the direction of the Chisinau Agricultural Institute. 403 00:37:59,770 --> 00:38:05,325 This Gamma Field is a 100 meter diameter circle, 404 00:38:05,405 --> 00:38:10,999 Cobalt 60 Isotopes were used as radioactive sources here. 405 00:38:11,439 --> 00:38:17,513 In the center of the Gamma Field there were two irradiating machines 406 00:38:18,033 --> 00:38:23,188 one of them was called "Gamma-Panorama", 407 00:38:23,867 --> 00:38:30,341 and it irradiated the entire experimental field simultaneously. 408 00:38:30,701 --> 00:38:35,616 The other unit was called "Flora-M". 409 00:38:35,656 --> 00:38:41,091 It irradiated crops in strictly defined sectors, 410 00:38:41,171 --> 00:38:45,646 without affecting crops in other sectors. 411 00:38:47,005 --> 00:38:51,920 During the irradiation of crops, no one was allowed to be present 412 00:38:51,920 --> 00:38:56,436 in the experimental field perimeter. 413 00:38:56,996 --> 00:39:01,671 Everyone was behind the protective wall 414 00:39:01,671 --> 00:39:05,228 and barbed wire fence. 415 00:39:32,241 --> 00:39:33,880 - Hello! - Hi! 416 00:39:33,880 --> 00:39:38,116 - We're looking for this Gamma Field circle. 417 00:39:39,914 --> 00:39:41,832 Gamma Field or something... 418 00:39:41,832 --> 00:39:43,990 - I don't know where it is. 419 00:39:44,669 --> 00:39:47,107 - Old folks must know. 420 00:39:47,107 --> 00:39:50,104 - We have no grandma or grandpa. 421 00:39:50,104 --> 00:39:52,741 Mother doesen't know also... No idea. 422 00:40:03,051 --> 00:40:04,570 - Hello! - Hi! 423 00:40:04,570 --> 00:40:08,206 - We're looking for the... 424 00:40:08,206 --> 00:40:10,164 Gamma Field... 425 00:40:12,082 --> 00:40:13,721 The Gamma Field. - We don't know. 426 00:40:13,721 --> 00:40:16,518 - We aren't from around here. 427 00:40:17,038 --> 00:40:19,035 - Thank you! 428 00:40:27,067 --> 00:40:28,586 - Hello! 429 00:40:28,586 --> 00:40:32,262 I'm looking for the Gamma Field. The circle. 430 00:40:33,181 --> 00:40:34,780 - Have you find it? 431 00:40:34,780 --> 00:40:36,778 - Can't say that I have! 432 00:40:37,697 --> 00:40:41,852 - See the bus station over there? 433 00:40:42,412 --> 00:40:45,848 Take that upper road. 434 00:40:46,248 --> 00:40:52,362 Cross through the village, and another kilometer straight 435 00:40:52,402 --> 00:40:55,399 keep on driving forward 436 00:40:55,439 --> 00:40:58,955 untill you see a hill. 437 00:41:00,514 --> 00:41:04,510 - Do you know what it was used for? 438 00:41:05,429 --> 00:41:08,745 - It eliminated radiation 439 00:41:11,223 --> 00:41:12,981 for experiments. 440 00:41:12,981 --> 00:41:15,498 There was a bunker there, 441 00:41:15,498 --> 00:41:17,536 with an atom inside. 442 00:41:17,536 --> 00:41:19,574 It eliminated radiation... 443 00:41:21,132 --> 00:41:27,246 They were making experiments to see how plants would grow... 444 00:41:31,082 --> 00:41:34,319 That's my understanding of what was done there. 445 00:41:34,359 --> 00:41:36,557 Moscow used to run the show. 446 00:41:36,557 --> 00:41:40,632 Locals had no idea of the consequences. 447 00:41:42,391 --> 00:41:46,906 The thing is folks were unaware of the harm done. 448 00:41:46,906 --> 00:41:51,781 Radiation used to glow all around the village and fields... 449 00:41:51,781 --> 00:41:56,895 They were doing experiments... to kinda see plant growth, you know... 450 00:41:56,935 --> 00:41:59,932 - How do you know all this? Did you work there? 451 00:41:59,972 --> 00:42:03,169 - I didn't, but some of my peers did. 452 00:42:03,169 --> 00:42:09,922 Among them many older than me. Some died. Many were crippled. 453 00:42:11,040 --> 00:42:18,033 But most of those who worked in that field passed away. 454 00:42:19,592 --> 00:42:24,107 - Any of those who used to work there, left in the village? 455 00:42:24,267 --> 00:42:27,943 - There's a woman around here... 456 00:42:27,943 --> 00:42:31,059 She's still alive... I think... 457 00:42:45,724 --> 00:42:48,481 - Hello! - Hello! 458 00:42:48,880 --> 00:42:51,997 - Do you know where the Gamma Field is? 459 00:42:53,436 --> 00:42:55,473 - Straight ahead. 460 00:42:55,473 --> 00:42:58,510 - You know what it was used for? 461 00:43:02,825 --> 00:43:05,383 - ...Agriculture stuff... 462 00:43:05,742 --> 00:43:09,698 - Anyone working there left around? 463 00:43:09,698 --> 00:43:12,215 - I used to work there as a driver. 464 00:43:12,255 --> 00:43:13,933 - Where? 465 00:43:13,933 --> 00:43:16,131 - At the Gamma Field. 466 00:43:16,131 --> 00:43:18,848 - I used to drive the boss around. 467 00:43:18,848 --> 00:43:20,486 - Who was the boss? 468 00:43:20,486 --> 00:43:22,524 - Akimov. 469 00:43:23,403 --> 00:43:26,879 - Anyone else who worked there left in the village? 470 00:43:27,039 --> 00:43:29,756 - Yup. Tolya Grabovsky... 471 00:43:31,994 --> 00:43:34,031 Veronica. 472 00:43:34,391 --> 00:43:38,227 Most of them died, though. 473 00:43:38,227 --> 00:43:40,264 - Why? 474 00:43:40,984 --> 00:43:44,220 - Drinking, they say... 475 00:43:56,686 --> 00:43:58,244 - Hello! 476 00:43:59,483 --> 00:44:02,720 We're looking for Mrs. Veronica. 477 00:44:02,720 --> 00:44:04,238 - What for? 478 00:44:04,278 --> 00:44:06,316 - We wish to talk to her. 479 00:44:06,675 --> 00:44:10,671 - Mrs. Veronica, we're from Chisinau, 480 00:44:10,671 --> 00:44:15,585 and we are here to make a film about this science... radiobiology. 481 00:44:15,585 --> 00:44:19,501 We heard there used to be a Gamma Field here. 482 00:44:19,501 --> 00:44:23,496 Is it true? Rumour has it that you worked there. 483 00:44:23,576 --> 00:44:27,372 - Here we had the barley... 484 00:44:27,731 --> 00:44:31,247 Here we had peas... 485 00:44:31,247 --> 00:44:33,245 Strawberries here... 486 00:44:33,245 --> 00:44:35,403 You can see the vineyard there. 487 00:44:35,403 --> 00:44:39,478 Here guards installed some scarecrows to keep birds away. 488 00:44:39,518 --> 00:44:42,435 You know, from eating sunflower seeds. 489 00:44:42,435 --> 00:44:44,472 - How were these plants different from others? 490 00:44:44,472 --> 00:44:49,467 - Well,they were very different. You see... 491 00:44:49,507 --> 00:44:57,497 Corn grew twice as big there, reaching 2-3 meters. 492 00:44:57,977 --> 00:44:59,136 Corn! 493 00:44:59,176 --> 00:45:03,251 No corn that tall now. 494 00:45:03,251 --> 00:45:07,206 We used to go around measuring crops. 495 00:45:07,246 --> 00:45:12,240 We wrote down: 185 cm from end to end. 496 00:45:13,879 --> 00:45:18,353 Corn was brown, black, blue, red... Any colour you like. 497 00:45:18,793 --> 00:45:22,628 Apple trees had more fruits than leaves. 498 00:45:22,708 --> 00:45:24,666 Heavenly! 499 00:45:25,265 --> 00:45:29,301 Grapes were so big... I can't tell you in words... 500 00:45:29,780 --> 00:45:35,373 Eating fruit was forbidden. Unless they allowed us to. Because it was radiated. 501 00:45:35,453 --> 00:45:40,567 If they radiated it all night, we weren't allowed to eat any fruit until noon. 502 00:45:41,047 --> 00:45:47,160 We waited for radiation to evaporate or something and then they'd let us eat. No other way. 503 00:45:47,160 --> 00:45:49,956 - Where's everybody else who worked there? 504 00:45:49,996 --> 00:45:52,553 - All of them died. 505 00:45:52,553 --> 00:45:57,987 - They were dumb enough to go in there and steal... 506 00:45:57,987 --> 00:46:01,982 Watermelons there were huge, enormous... 507 00:46:02,342 --> 00:46:04,779 Akimov would number them from 1 to 100... 508 00:46:04,819 --> 00:46:08,734 When he went to check he'd see there was no 90, no 70, 509 00:46:08,734 --> 00:46:11,051 The biggest watermelons were gone. 510 00:46:11,091 --> 00:46:14,247 So, they're all dead, only me and Iulia are alive now. 511 00:46:14,247 --> 00:46:18,762 Since Iulia's left to work in Italy, I'm the only one around here. 512 00:46:18,762 --> 00:46:23,077 - What killed them, in your view? Was it the Gamma Field? 513 00:46:23,117 --> 00:46:27,751 - There was a guard with horrible warts on his hands. 514 00:46:27,751 --> 00:46:33,504 How can i put it... Really nasty ones! 515 00:46:33,504 --> 00:46:37,300 - What's up with you? I asked. - Radiation, he said. 516 00:46:37,300 --> 00:46:41,574 - Why would you go there? - Why should Akimov eat it all? he replied. 517 00:46:41,574 --> 00:46:45,090 I, myself didn't want to go there for one strawberry and so I never entered. 518 00:46:54,279 --> 00:46:55,837 - Hi, guys! - Hi! 519 00:46:55,837 --> 00:46:58,394 - We're looking for the Gamma Field. 520 00:47:00,391 --> 00:47:02,748 - It's over by that tree. 521 00:47:02,748 --> 00:47:03,987 It's there! 522 00:47:03,987 --> 00:47:04,946 - On the right side ? 523 00:47:04,946 --> 00:47:06,384 - Yes, there's a road there. 524 00:47:06,424 --> 00:47:07,343 - Thank you! 525 00:47:49,850 --> 00:47:51,328 - Hello! - Hi! 526 00:47:53,046 --> 00:47:55,203 - I'm Dragos. 527 00:47:55,203 --> 00:47:57,880 - Alexandru. - Nice to meet you. 528 00:47:57,880 --> 00:48:01,236 - I wanted to ask you what's up with this circle? 529 00:48:01,276 --> 00:48:02,874 - All this wilderness here? - Yes. 530 00:48:02,914 --> 00:48:06,429 - I don't know. I've been here for three days now. 531 00:48:06,469 --> 00:48:08,786 - Ever wondered why this circle is here? 532 00:48:09,026 --> 00:48:12,541 - I was thinking they maybe wanted to build a lake or something... 533 00:48:12,541 --> 00:48:15,338 - Been here with the cows for three days you say? 534 00:48:15,338 --> 00:48:18,014 - Yes, since I came from somewhere else. 535 00:48:18,014 --> 00:48:20,771 - There was a radioactive Gamma Garden here. 536 00:48:20,771 --> 00:48:22,808 - I don't know anything. 537 00:48:23,207 --> 00:48:27,082 -I want to measure radiation levels here. 538 00:48:27,082 --> 00:48:29,080 - You want to measure it, you say? 539 00:48:29,080 --> 00:48:33,195 - Yeah, with these two devices here. 540 00:48:33,275 --> 00:48:35,352 Here, hold one! 541 00:48:35,352 --> 00:48:37,549 - Which one? - This one. 542 00:48:37,789 --> 00:48:41,903 This one measures radioactivity. 543 00:48:43,222 --> 00:48:46,497 And I thought we'd measure it here. 544 00:48:46,537 --> 00:48:49,214 This is another piece of equipment. 545 00:48:50,412 --> 00:48:52,649 Let's go closer to the centre. 546 00:48:52,849 --> 00:48:59,001 - Those who started building must know what the deal was. 547 00:48:59,320 --> 00:49:01,597 - Right... 548 00:49:10,226 --> 00:49:13,582 - I'll switch to another mode now... 549 00:49:16,777 --> 00:49:22,929 Hold it and tell me when this moves up. 550 00:49:23,408 --> 00:49:30,559 You see this indicator arrow here? It shows radiation levels around. 551 00:49:34,793 --> 00:49:40,585 See, Alexandru these plants are in a straight line. 552 00:49:40,745 --> 00:49:44,859 You can see that it's man-made. 553 00:49:46,457 --> 00:49:49,933 Only sage left, on that hill there... 554 00:49:51,490 --> 00:49:54,287 However other plants used to grow here. 555 00:49:54,287 --> 00:49:55,325 - Yeah. 556 00:49:55,325 --> 00:50:00,638 - Folks in the village said there were plenty of various plants here. 557 00:50:07,349 --> 00:50:10,504 - Heard that? - Yep, a beep. 558 00:50:13,261 --> 00:50:16,256 - Apparently, the ground is still contaminated. 559 00:50:16,456 --> 00:50:20,371 - Does this mean it still works or what? 560 00:50:20,371 --> 00:50:25,364 - Radiation remains in the ground for years to come. 561 00:50:25,444 --> 00:50:29,518 So... it's not ok to stay here for long. 562 00:50:29,558 --> 00:50:32,514 - Really? - Yeah. 563 00:50:32,514 --> 00:50:35,230 - What is this radiation? Heat or what? 564 00:50:35,230 --> 00:50:38,945 - When man discovered radiation, 565 00:50:38,945 --> 00:50:44,657 he created radioactive elements with very strong energies. 566 00:50:44,657 --> 00:50:46,893 Did you feel anything while being here? 567 00:50:46,893 --> 00:50:48,331 - No, nothing. 568 00:50:48,331 --> 00:50:52,845 Maybe a bit light headed when I got up, that's all. 569 00:50:57,598 --> 00:51:01,872 - These trees were abandoned by scientists, 570 00:51:01,872 --> 00:51:08,023 probably when the circle was destroyed, the trees remained like that, 571 00:51:08,063 --> 00:51:12,137 cherry trees, apple trees. 572 00:51:12,177 --> 00:51:18,328 That's what's left of the heaven on earth, as Mrs. Veronica who worked here would say. 573 00:52:08,895 --> 00:52:14,287 - As the only rational being on earth, man was often arrogant. 574 00:52:14,287 --> 00:52:22,036 By declaring himself King of nature, without solid reason, he tried to tame nature. 575 00:52:22,635 --> 00:52:25,311 Here's an example from life. 576 00:52:25,311 --> 00:52:31,901 The King of nature tangoes with the almost extinct King of animals. 577 00:52:32,060 --> 00:52:35,655 Everybody's satisfied and happy. 578 00:52:42,085 --> 00:52:45,120 - Tell us a bit about scale. 579 00:52:46,279 --> 00:52:50,951 - Moldova enlarged this scale to a pretty large extent. 580 00:52:51,111 --> 00:52:57,301 In 3-4 years, Kolos was even transported to Ukraine for seed radiation. 581 00:52:59,658 --> 00:53:05,169 - From what I observed in archived footage, people had this confidence about themselves. 582 00:53:05,169 --> 00:53:08,764 People operating radioactive equipment, I mean. 583 00:53:08,843 --> 00:53:12,757 They were certain that this science would never fail! 584 00:53:12,797 --> 00:53:17,790 - They were in such a hurry to implement radiobiology in agriculture... 585 00:53:17,790 --> 00:53:25,777 I mean, first of all, that experiments should have been initially tested in trial laboratories. 586 00:53:26,895 --> 00:53:33,046 Starting on large scale fields, from the onset, 587 00:53:33,046 --> 00:53:37,119 unaware of the dosage for each crop, was premature. 588 00:53:37,399 --> 00:53:40,274 That's why I was not satisfied. 589 00:53:40,274 --> 00:53:44,747 Because we started on immense territories. 590 00:53:44,867 --> 00:53:49,978 However, we had no fundamental bases for that. 591 00:53:51,336 --> 00:53:56,248 - Quality was ignored, only quantity mattered. 592 00:53:57,007 --> 00:54:00,960 This is why we have such dire consequences now, 593 00:54:00,960 --> 00:54:03,996 because, in my opinion, 594 00:54:03,996 --> 00:54:08,628 most disasters we face today, 595 00:54:08,708 --> 00:54:13,300 such as lack of intellect, various ilnesses, 596 00:54:13,300 --> 00:54:17,973 were caused by low quality products. 597 00:54:18,731 --> 00:54:23,843 They thought that if radiation gets you a mutant, it'll solve all your problems. 598 00:54:23,883 --> 00:54:29,593 Often, when large doses were applied, entire batches perished. 599 00:54:29,634 --> 00:54:33,667 Mutations occurred in a very low percentage of cases - 0,02%. 600 00:54:33,667 --> 00:54:37,780 But it was obvious that upon rising radioactive exposure, 601 00:54:37,860 --> 00:54:43,291 seeding material loses germination and dies. Thus the organism dies. 602 00:54:43,291 --> 00:54:46,845 The same can happen to humans, animals, 603 00:54:46,845 --> 00:54:51,357 mosquitos, bees, and therefore to plants. 604 00:54:52,875 --> 00:54:57,587 - You're saying they had no time to think of their deeds? 605 00:54:57,587 --> 00:55:01,260 Science should usually consider the possible consequences. 606 00:55:01,260 --> 00:55:05,173 - I don't know if they had no time to think, in their hurry, 607 00:55:05,173 --> 00:55:11,363 during the 4-5 years of implementing these practices in Moldova, 608 00:55:11,882 --> 00:55:18,071 or whether they dreamed of getting the State Prize. 609 00:55:18,151 --> 00:55:24,340 - I, myself was concerned about certain issues that science overlooked. 610 00:55:25,099 --> 00:55:28,693 Like what should we do with the waste? 611 00:55:28,693 --> 00:55:33,365 What can we observe, after 70 years of radiobiology in Moldova? 612 00:55:34,882 --> 00:55:38,995 In your opinion, what is left behind? 613 00:55:40,393 --> 00:55:43,467 - Hard to say... 614 00:55:44,146 --> 00:55:50,335 They should have thought about the present and future. 615 00:55:50,694 --> 00:55:56,883 For example, nuclear power plant management is handling such issues, 616 00:55:57,362 --> 00:56:03,551 by disposing of radioactive waste in specialised storage facilities. 617 00:56:03,671 --> 00:56:06,785 In a hundred years maybe they will reuse it, 618 00:56:06,785 --> 00:56:09,501 science is not ready for such recycling yet. 619 00:56:09,501 --> 00:56:14,731 The same should've been done with atomic gardening. 620 00:56:14,891 --> 00:56:20,321 Not like we did. We hurried with the Kolos machines, 621 00:56:20,321 --> 00:56:25,511 and now we don't know what to do with them. 622 00:56:44,517 --> 00:56:48,310 - Famous geneticist, Soviet Academy of Sciences member, 623 00:56:48,310 --> 00:56:51,703 "Lenin" Award Laureate, Nikolay Dubinin, 624 00:56:51,703 --> 00:56:55,696 was willing to answer our questions. 625 00:56:55,816 --> 00:57:00,487 - The "Pravda" newspaper just published 626 00:57:00,567 --> 00:57:04,599 a very negative article on breeding of soils, 627 00:57:04,599 --> 00:57:10,827 showing how well-wishing turns to harm. 628 00:57:11,985 --> 00:57:16,377 Because people don't know how to work the soils. 629 00:57:16,377 --> 00:57:20,489 That is why our investment returns are on a constant decrease 630 00:57:20,529 --> 00:57:23,962 and are currently approaching minimum values. 631 00:57:23,962 --> 00:57:30,150 For this and other related reasons, harvest yields don't actually increase. 632 00:57:32,865 --> 00:57:38,414 Our aim is to finally achieve party goals 633 00:57:38,414 --> 00:57:44,402 of harvesting 250 million tons per year. 634 00:57:47,197 --> 00:57:54,423 Still, the plant itself is part of the task! Aside from the the soil and fertilizers. 635 00:57:55,061 --> 00:58:02,287 Therefore Moldova's experience is crucial for the entire Soviet Union in this case! 636 00:58:13,624 --> 00:58:17,337 - We are inside a radiological objective. 637 00:58:17,337 --> 00:58:20,490 Special objective 5101, 5102. 638 00:58:20,610 --> 00:58:24,323 A codename left since Soviet times. 639 00:58:25,081 --> 00:58:32,067 It basically stores all machinery used in Socialist Moldova's industry, 640 00:58:33,584 --> 00:58:39,771 in agriculture and plant breeding research. 641 00:58:41,447 --> 00:58:48,313 As you can see containers are stored behind these physical protection barriers, 642 00:58:48,353 --> 00:58:55,339 with Kolos machines that used Caesium 137. 643 00:58:56,736 --> 00:59:02,524 Over there, in the back we have RHM Gamma 20 machines 644 00:59:02,524 --> 00:59:07,034 with Cobalt 60 isotopes, 645 00:59:07,074 --> 00:59:10,706 as well as a Stebel unit, 646 00:59:10,706 --> 00:59:16,015 which was used in a plant breeding research institute, 647 00:59:16,015 --> 00:59:19,328 namely Selectia. 648 00:59:20,525 --> 00:59:25,355 Now these machines, are placed in a protective container. 649 00:59:25,395 --> 00:59:30,224 Until 2003, were carelessly abandoned under open skies. 650 00:59:30,224 --> 00:59:34,934 I feel like I am inside pyramid of Cheops. 651 00:59:34,934 --> 00:59:41,918 A space full of old artifacts. 652 00:59:42,118 --> 00:59:46,468 Relics that once served for a purpose 653 00:59:46,468 --> 00:59:52,175 and have currently turned to waste and not just waste but also problems. 654 00:59:53,492 --> 00:59:59,160 - How many years will it take to enter this place without risk? 655 00:59:59,479 --> 01:00:04,149 How much time is needed untill all isotopes fully disintegrate? 656 01:00:04,149 --> 01:00:09,855 - If we talk about all the radioactive source types stored here, 657 01:00:09,895 --> 01:00:15,243 in some cases it would take no less than tens of thousands of years 658 01:00:15,243 --> 01:00:19,912 till it would be possible to enter here without facing danger. 659 01:00:19,953 --> 01:00:25,140 Such an approach is impossible for radioactive waste management. 660 01:00:30,368 --> 01:00:35,676 - In these capsules we have C14 Radioactive Carbon, 661 01:00:37,033 --> 01:00:42,021 with a 6000-year half-life. 662 01:00:44,216 --> 01:00:51,040 - During inventory, the background of radioactive isotopes is checked. 663 01:00:51,678 --> 01:00:54,112 It is still active. 664 01:00:54,112 --> 01:00:59,739 We notice the red colour on that Geiger counter. 665 01:00:59,779 --> 01:01:06,043 It means it has to be further kept in the safe. 666 01:01:07,001 --> 01:01:11,989 - Please explain what "half-life" is? 667 01:01:12,348 --> 01:01:16,339 A simple definition, please... 668 01:01:19,092 --> 01:01:26,075 - In physics, "half-life" is called "the law of radioactive decay". 669 01:01:27,112 --> 01:01:35,092 - The period in which radioactive material intensity drops by half. 670 01:01:37,805 --> 01:01:45,306 For example, Cobalt 60 has a half-life of 5 years. 671 01:01:45,905 --> 01:01:51,012 So in 5 years its power will drop twice. 672 01:01:51,012 --> 01:01:55,082 And so it happens every 5 years. 673 01:01:55,082 --> 01:01:58,513 It will be 4 times as weak in 10 years, 674 01:01:58,553 --> 01:02:00,548 and 8 times as weak in 15 years. 675 01:02:00,548 --> 01:02:05,934 - How about Carbon 14, with a half-life of 6000 years, 676 01:02:05,934 --> 01:02:09,923 how much will it take for it to not be dangerous anymore? 677 01:02:09,963 --> 01:02:14,352 - Sixty Thousand Years. - That's ten half-lives. 678 01:02:14,392 --> 01:02:18,979 - Theoretically, 10 half-lives are enough 679 01:02:19,099 --> 01:02:23,567 for radioactive material to become non-hazardous. 680 01:02:23,886 --> 01:02:27,397 - 60 thousand years. - Yes, 60 thousand years. 681 01:02:31,945 --> 01:02:37,091 - How would you see radiobiology as a science. 682 01:02:37,091 --> 01:02:42,596 Is it a failed science? Is Moldova to blame for its failure? 683 01:02:42,636 --> 01:02:47,263 - It was and still is an important science, 684 01:02:47,263 --> 01:02:53,566 though not for use in agriculture to obtain large crop yields. 685 01:02:53,606 --> 01:02:58,433 This was obvious from the beginning and they should have admitted it. 686 01:02:59,231 --> 01:03:03,578 - So, a proud scientist can't admit he failed? 687 01:03:03,578 --> 01:03:07,567 It is human nature to make mistakes. 688 01:03:08,285 --> 01:03:14,388 - Admitting failure is difficult for an ordinary man, 689 01:03:14,428 --> 01:03:19,134 but if he has a scientific title, a high-level position, 690 01:03:19,134 --> 01:03:24,399 then it's extremely hard, obviously... 691 01:03:25,197 --> 01:03:28,587 - When I came to see the results, I used to ask: 692 01:03:28,587 --> 01:03:31,259 - How's the yield? The answer was: Good yield! 693 01:03:31,259 --> 01:03:34,211 - What are your results? - Good results! 694 01:03:34,211 --> 01:03:38,438 You'll get whatever results you want. 695 01:03:40,153 --> 01:03:44,341 In this case, science was not quite scientific... 696 01:03:46,215 --> 01:03:52,118 - Thus, the experiment did not have the desired result? 697 01:03:52,597 --> 01:03:54,790 Were the expectations too big, or what? 698 01:03:55,548 --> 01:03:59,017 - The Party wanted big results. 699 01:03:59,057 --> 01:04:02,407 I repeatedly warned my bosses. 700 01:04:02,606 --> 01:04:05,956 The answer was: - Did you get the money? 701 01:04:06,076 --> 01:04:09,066 Are you conducting experiments? Are you working?! Carry on! 702 01:04:11,060 --> 01:04:13,572 - It's 2018... 703 01:04:14,051 --> 01:04:18,398 Radiation breeding is still applied at the Genetics Institute, 704 01:04:18,438 --> 01:04:21,428 using the same equipment as half a century ago. 705 01:04:22,664 --> 01:04:25,336 - Just like in the beginning, 706 01:04:25,336 --> 01:04:31,835 today's atomic breeders, stayed with the mindset that radiation can change things... 707 01:04:31,995 --> 01:04:35,185 Yes, it does cause change... So what? 708 01:04:52,968 --> 01:04:55,280 - 50. That's one. 709 01:04:55,280 --> 01:04:57,712 100. Do you also have 100? 710 01:04:57,752 --> 01:05:00,623 You don't, I have 100. Write that down. 711 01:05:00,662 --> 01:05:01,739 50, 712 01:05:02,417 --> 01:05:04,250 100, 713 01:05:04,250 --> 01:05:06,363 150 in mine. In yours? 714 01:05:06,363 --> 01:05:07,440 - No. 715 01:05:07,440 --> 01:05:08,955 - 200. 716 01:05:09,314 --> 01:05:15,772 - I really hope rabbits won't eat all my chickpeas, like last year. 717 01:05:15,851 --> 01:05:22,230 The jerks seem to distinguish irradiated plants and eat them all. 718 01:05:22,270 --> 01:05:26,694 It's like they choose them specifically. 719 01:05:26,734 --> 01:05:30,162 Only stems are left behind them. 720 01:05:30,162 --> 01:05:36,540 - One day, we'll catch ourselves one of these huge rabbits and make a stew. 721 01:05:38,693 --> 01:05:44,393 - Do you think it's normal to still use radiation in biology in 2018? 722 01:05:44,433 --> 01:05:48,418 How much longer do you plan to use this equipment? 723 01:05:48,458 --> 01:05:53,241 Not for long, from what we know. 724 01:05:53,241 --> 01:06:00,216 However, we hope our unit will continue to be used. 725 01:06:00,774 --> 01:06:06,234 So we, and our successors could continue our work. 726 01:06:06,274 --> 01:06:12,371 I believe that the methods we use in our research, 727 01:06:12,411 --> 01:06:16,117 will also be used in the future. 728 01:06:18,468 --> 01:06:23,848 Why do you think man uses radioactive mutagenesis? 729 01:06:23,967 --> 01:06:27,235 What is the final goal? 730 01:06:27,474 --> 01:06:32,335 - The goal is to eat well, to live well. 731 01:06:32,335 --> 01:06:36,718 Work less and have more. That's it... 732 01:06:36,798 --> 01:06:39,945 - Dorin, are you done with the samples? 733 01:06:39,985 --> 01:06:44,846 - Yes. - Let's take them... 734 01:06:45,085 --> 01:06:49,069 How long do you think exposure will take? 735 01:06:49,109 --> 01:06:52,655 - Usually about 3-4 hours. It depends... 736 01:06:52,655 --> 01:06:58,591 The unit is old and rusty, it squeaks, here and there. 737 01:06:58,671 --> 01:07:01,579 - Hopefully it will last for another year or two, 738 01:07:01,579 --> 01:07:04,925 while we still have initial material to make. 739 01:07:04,925 --> 01:07:10,024 - I wish rabbits wouldn't eat my chickpeas. - You and your rabbits... 740 01:07:10,064 --> 01:07:12,215 - Now, let's take them. 741 01:07:12,215 --> 01:07:18,190 I'll take 4, you take the rest, and we're off. 742 01:07:18,628 --> 01:07:22,213 Take your phone, I'll take my glasses. 743 01:07:22,213 --> 01:07:27,510 - Let me get my diary... - The record book, 744 01:07:27,550 --> 01:07:32,011 so we could apply the necessary dosage... 745 01:07:32,011 --> 01:07:34,520 We're off. 746 01:08:05,226 --> 01:08:11,477 - Let me start by saying this is not my first interview, 747 01:08:11,955 --> 01:08:19,439 so, I don't give a damn about your camera and your microphone. 748 01:08:19,558 --> 01:08:25,449 I am calm and I will only speak what I must. 749 01:08:25,688 --> 01:08:28,196 Put this on record, please. 750 01:08:31,221 --> 01:08:33,530 Smile, please. 751 01:08:34,326 --> 01:08:36,515 Yes, that's right. 752 01:08:39,819 --> 01:08:46,425 I started the construction of this Gamma Field, where we are now 753 01:08:46,942 --> 01:08:53,110 and by the will of destiny, I also dismantled it, 754 01:08:53,150 --> 01:08:58,960 and sent the radioactive sources into final disposal. 755 01:08:58,960 --> 01:09:03,933 - What if radiobiology in Moldova would have been a success story? 756 01:09:04,172 --> 01:09:09,145 How'd Moldova, or even the whole world, look today? 757 01:09:10,061 --> 01:09:14,476 - You're asking a philosophical question. 758 01:09:14,517 --> 01:09:19,210 No one will answer it. To be honest, I do not even know what to answer. 759 01:09:19,727 --> 01:09:24,302 - Imagine that the Gamma Field is still functional, 760 01:09:24,342 --> 01:09:29,313 and you are still its director nowadays? 761 01:09:32,098 --> 01:09:40,210 - My opinion is that the Gamma Field is one of a kind 762 01:09:42,080 --> 01:09:50,072 and it is a pity that we have what we have today. 763 01:09:50,589 --> 01:09:58,461 If that had not happened, the Gamma Field would still work, 764 01:09:58,620 --> 01:10:05,139 plants would have been growing and would have been irradiated here. 765 01:10:05,179 --> 01:10:09,034 Improved crops would be obtained, 766 01:10:09,074 --> 01:10:15,194 and this would be a contribution to the science of radiobiology. 767 01:10:15,830 --> 01:10:21,354 - How would the world look like without radiobiology? What would differ? 768 01:10:21,394 --> 01:10:25,486 - Again with the philosophical questions... 769 01:10:28,506 --> 01:10:33,471 - Did the results justify the sacrifices of scholars? 770 01:10:34,743 --> 01:10:41,654 - This is a provocative question, allow me to not answer it. 771 01:10:49,877 --> 01:10:55,911 "Moldova must become the Garden of the Soviet Union." N.S. Khrushchev 772 01:10:57,976 --> 01:11:03,772 A Communist Party meeting was dedicated to this issue. 773 01:11:09,290 --> 01:11:13,219 Referring to Comrade Khrushchev's visit to Moldova, 774 01:11:13,259 --> 01:11:17,227 Republican Communist Party First Secretary, Zinovi Serdiuk 775 01:11:17,267 --> 01:11:19,053 noted in his speech: 776 01:11:19,291 --> 01:11:22,345 -I think, as Nikita Sergeyevich said, 777 01:11:22,385 --> 01:11:29,327 that Moldova should be focused on one thing - becoming the Soviet Garden, 778 01:11:29,565 --> 01:11:35,792 deliver delicacies to the Soviet people: 779 01:11:35,951 --> 01:11:40,154 grapes, wines, juices, fruit. 780 01:11:40,194 --> 01:11:45,664 The Moldovan people embraced this task from Comrade Khrushchev 781 01:11:45,704 --> 01:11:51,332 as its honourable destiny, being firmly committed to its accomplishment in reality. 782 01:11:51,848 --> 01:11:56,999 To properly organize themselves for the continuous development of horticulture, 783 01:11:57,079 --> 01:12:02,506 and thus successfully follow Comrade Khrushchev's instructions. 784 01:12:18,035 --> 01:12:21,241 After all my attempts to find the truth, 785 01:12:21,241 --> 01:12:24,485 it seems it remains hidden somewhere in the past. 786 01:12:27,494 --> 01:12:30,658 I understood that the decisions of politicians 787 01:12:30,935 --> 01:12:32,913 can lead to human sacrifices 788 01:12:32,953 --> 01:12:36,274 and can even influence the growth of plants. 789 01:12:40,742 --> 01:12:42,007 I wonder... 790 01:12:42,007 --> 01:12:46,077 Where in the world will the next Soviet Garden appear?