Early in the 1900s, biologists used radium to induce mutations and study genetics. As early as 1904, Daniel MacDougal used radium in an attempt to determine whether it could provoke sudden large mutations and cause major evolutionary shifts. Thomas Hunt Morgan used radium to induce changes resulting in white-eyed fruit flies. Nobel-winning biologist Hermann Muller briefly studied the effects of radium on fruit fly mutations before turning to more affordable x-ray experiments.
eaRly in thE 1900S, BIoLOgisTs used radium tO induce Mutations and stUdy genEtiCs. As early As 1904, dANIel MaCDoUGal used radIuM In aN AtTeMpt to DEtErmiNe WHetheR it couLD provoke SuDden lARgE muTaTIons aNd cAuse majoR evolUtiONarY shifTS. ThomaS HunT morgaN uSed rAdiUm To InDuCe ChanGes reSULtiNG in wHite-EyEd fruit flIEs. NObel-winnInG bIolOGist HErMaNn mULleR briefly studIed The efFECts of Radium On frUit fLy mutAtions beFoRe tURniNg To MoRE affOrdaBle X-rAY experimentS.