Genetic effects are best described as which of the following?

• A. Cancer and birth defects
• B. Cancer and leukemia
• C. Birth defects and skin burns
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

Genetic effects are inherited changes that can be passed to future generations through germ cells. When radiation affects reproductive cells, mutations may appear in offspring, often presenting as birth defects. In the broader view of risk, these genetic changes can also influence cancer susceptibility in descendants, rather than causing cancer in the irradiated individual directly—that’s a somatic effect.

The option that best reflects these inherited consequences is the one listing cancer and birth defects. Birth defects are a clear example of a heritable outcome, and cancer risk can be related to inherited mutations in descendants. The other choices pair somatic effects (like cancers in the irradiated person or skin burns) with birth defects, which aren’t inherited in the same way.