Recent advances in mammalian radiation genetics and their relevance to the problem of genetic risk estimates in man

Abstract

Current estimates of the genetic hazards arising from the exposure of human populations to radiation are to a large extent, based on the results obtained with experimental organisms, especially laboratory mammals. During the past few years there has been substantial progress in the field of mammalian radiation genetics; some of the findings have confirmed and extended earlier ones while others have exposed new and interesting facets of the radiation response of the mammals. The present review is devoted to an examination of some of the recent results from the standpoint of their applicability to the problem of genetic risk estimates in man.