Technical Report No. 9-85
A search for genetic effects of atomic bomb radiation on the growth and development of the F1 generation. 5. Stature of 6- to 11-year-old elementary school pupils in Hiroshima
Furusho T, Otake MSummary
In a search for the possible genetic effects of atomic bomb radiation on the stature of the offspring of A-bomb survivors, a comparative study was made on elementary school pupils 6 to 11 years of age born to exposed and nonexposed parents in Hiroshima.
The mean stature and variance for the offspring were determined, and the covariance and correlation were calculated in a comparison between either the values for one parent or the sum for both parents, and those for the offspring. Only a few of the differences in mean stature between exposed and nonexposed groups were statistically significant, but in all instances the difference tends to be larger in the exposed group than in the nonexposed group. Also, only a few of the differences in variance between the two groups were statistically significant, but the variance value of the exposed group was higher. Concerning the difference in correlation (Z transformation) between the two groups, only a very few were statistically significant, but the values of the exposed group were higher. A few of the regression coefficient of variance values were statistically significant and the signs of these regression coefficients were not always in agreement.
Genetic effects of A-bomb radiation on the stature of survivors’ offspring cannot be ruled out by the above-mentioned results. Since analyses of all the data for Hiroshima were completed with the present study, a comparative study was made of the growth curves of the nonexposed group and the 1+ rad group with regard to the mean stature and stature variance for all students 6 to 17 years of age. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant for some ages. However, as no specific tendency is observed, it cannot be demonstrated that this is attributable to A-bomb radiation.
In a search for the possible genetic effects of atomic bomb radiation on the stature of the offspring of A-bomb survivors, a comparative study was made on elementary school pupils 6 to 11 years of age born to exposed and nonexposed parents in Hiroshima.
The mean stature and variance for the offspring were determined, and the covariance and correlation were calculated in a comparison between either the values for one parent or the sum for both parents, and those for the offspring. Only a few of the differences in mean stature between exposed and nonexposed groups were statistically significant, but in all instances the difference tends to be larger in the exposed group than in the nonexposed group. Also, only a few of the differences in variance between the two groups were statistically significant, but the variance value of the exposed group was higher. Concerning the difference in correlation (Z transformation) between the two groups, only a very few were statistically significant, but the values of the exposed group were higher. A few of the regression coefficient of variance values were statistically significant and the signs of these regression coefficients were not always in agreement.
Genetic effects of A-bomb radiation on the stature of survivors’ offspring cannot be ruled out by the above-mentioned results. Since analyses of all the data for Hiroshima were completed with the present study, a comparative study was made of the growth curves of the nonexposed group and the 1+ rad group with regard to the mean stature and stature variance for all students 6 to 17 years of age. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant for some ages. However, as no specific tendency is observed, it cannot be demonstrated that this is attributable to A-bomb radiation.