Which of the following is a genetic effect from exposure to ionizing radiation?

• A. life-span shortening
• B. injuries to the developing embryo
• C. injuries to the developing fetus
• D. anomalies in the patient's children

Answer: (C)

Genetic effects from exposure to ionizing radiation are heritable changes that occur when reproductive cells (sperm or ova) are damaged. If these germ cells carry mutations, those changes can be passed to the next generation, potentially presenting as anomalies or genetic issues in the patient’s children. This is different from effects seen in a developing fetus from direct exposure during pregnancy, which are developmental (teratogenic) injuries to the embryo or fetus rather than inherited genetic changes. Life-span shortening is a somatic effect affecting the irradiated individual, not their offspring. So the genetic effect you’d expect is anomalies in the patient’s children.