Genetic Effects of Radiation in the Offspring of Atomic-Bomb Survivors

When ionizing radiation causes DNA damage (mutations) in male or female reproductive (“germ”) cells, that damage can be transmitted to the next generation (F1). This is in contrast to mutations in somatic cells, which are not transmitted.

Detection of human germ cell mutations is difficult, especially at low doses. While high doses in experimental animals can cause various disorders in offspring (birth defects, chromosome aberrations, etc.), no evidence of clinical or subclinical effects has yet been seen in children of A-bomb survivors. Given the relatively low average dose to survivors (median doses of about 0.14 Gy for both the fathers and mothers), this result is not surprising. It is consistent, in fact, with the predictions of mouse experiments and suggests that humans are not more radiosensitive with respect to heritable changes.

The Table lists the several kinds of genetics studies conducted at ABCC-RERF since the late 1940s in children of A-bomb survivors. Active studies involve ongoing mortality follow-up of the F1 cohort, an F1 clinical examination program, and various molecular studies of DNA from cells of survivors and their children.

Table. ABCC-RERF genetic studies of children of A-bomb survivors

Studies
Population size
Birth defects (stillbirth, malformation, etc.)
77,000
Weight
72,000
Sex ratio
141,000
Chromosome aberrations
16,000
Protein electrophoresis
24,000
Mortality, cancer incidence (ongoing) 77,000
Clinical examination program 12,000
DNA studies (ongoing) 1,000 families
(1,500 offspring)

For more-detailed explanations of specific topics related to genetic effects, select a topic below.

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