GSD focuses on which group for assessing genetic risk?

• A. Whole population
• B. Only exposed individuals
• C. Only children
• D. Only workers

Answer: (A)

Genetic risk assessment aims to understand how heritable changes could arise and affect future generations, and that concern belongs to the entire population, not just a subset. Radiation can induce germline mutations, so the potential impact is a population-wide issue—informing safety standards and protective measures for the public as a whole. If we looked only at those currently exposed, we’d miss the hereditary risk to their offspring and the portion of the population that might be genetically more susceptible regardless of immediate exposure. Limiting the focus to children or workers narrows the scope and neglects the broader public health perspective. By evaluating the whole population, we capture the distribution of genetic susceptibility across all people, which provides a fuller, more accurate picture for risk estimation.