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Every now and then you come across a story that sounds too good to be true. This time, the story may be true and its ramifications would be mind-boggling.

A few weeks ago, I came across a short article about a doctor who supposedly found a cure for radiation poisoning. I would have dismissed the story, but curiosity got the best of me. After doing a little "digging," I realized the story might be true.

His name is Dr. Andrei Gudkov. He is a molecular geneticist, and chairman of the cell stress biology department at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. Gudkov was educated in Moscow where he earned his Ph.D.

Gudkov leads a team of Jewish-American researchers and is associated with an Israeli researcher, Dr. Elena Feinstein and Israeli investors.

I won't even try to explain how the process works. More detailed information can be found in Scientific American, April 11, 2008. A second article appeared in Ynetnews.com July 17, 2009. It appears that this research and early test results were kept a secret for five years. Successful tests have already been conducted on mice and monkeys. Apparently the medication is now undergoing FDA testing for human use.

If Gudkov is successful with his testing and receives approval for his drug, it will be a game changer. It has tremendous civilian and military applications. The Department of Defense has already signed a contract to develop the drug as a radiation counter measure -- a defensive weapon against "dirty bombs." It would also put any enemy on notice that their dirty bomb has lost much of its punch. The Defense Department has already earmarked $40 million for the project.

The Israeli government is actively involved and interested in the medications' success. Being able to protect Israelis from a potential Iranian dirty bomb may cause the madmen in Tehran to think twice before getting involved in something they can't win.

What this medication also offers is help for cancer patients taking radiation treatment. It would greatly reduce or eliminate the terrible side effects associated with radiation treatment and afford physicians another important tool in the war against virtually all forms of cancer.

This "medication" would also be helpful for people living near nuclear power plants that could suffer from the release of radioactive material because of an accident. Here, too, is where the military may want to supply its nuclear Naval fleet in case of an accident.

As news stories go, this is one to watch. Presently, the test results will be available in a year or two. I would also suspect the Israeli government is also involved in some form of testing.

For the developers, the potential profits are staggering. At this point this is the biggest scientific discovery of the 21st century. I will keep following this story as information becomes available.

As world events dictate, as Jews, we must become self-sufficient. We have learned in the past that we really can't expect others to help us unless we have the oil, or the gold, or the diamonds.

History has been both generous and unkind to us. It is good that these researchers "bleed" with us. Absolute faith or trust in other people could wipe us out. Many Jews believe we have been protected by an almighty being. I would pray that Gudkov is successful. My family knows first-hand what it's like dealing with radiation treatments and evil forces seeking to end Jewish existence.

Carl Resnick is a resident of Raritan and a local businessman.