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

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

Answer: (C)

Genetic effects from ionizing radiation are heritable changes caused by mutations in germ cells (sperm or ova) that can be passed to offspring. When germ cells incur radiation-induced DNA damage, those mutations may be transmitted at fertilization, leading to anomalies or genetic disorders in the patient’s children. That’s why anomalies in the patient’s children represent a genetic effect.

In contrast, injuries to the developing embryo or fetus occur when radiation exposure happens during pregnancy and directly affects the fetus, not the next generation. Life-span shortening describes somatic effects in the irradiated individual, such as increased cancer risk, which are not inherited by offspring.