50
Could we produce all of our radioisotopes in a cyclotron and not have a reactor?
No, both types of radioisotopes are needed to service all of Australia's medical needs, for the reasons set out in the response to the previous question. The most commonly used radioisotope, molybdenum 99 (which decays into technetium 99-m), can only be produced in a research reactor. Also, the emerging generation of therapeutic isotopes can only be produced in a reactor.