Divergent X-ray-induced mutation rates in the mouse for H and “7-locus” groups of loci

Abstract

INCREASED demand for nuclear power re-emphasises the need for a well-grounded estimate of the genetic risk of environmental mutagens in general and of ionising radiations in particular. With respect to germ-line, specific-locus mutation rates, estimates for man have been based primarily on the mouse 7-locus test, carried out on a large scale at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA) and Harwell (UK). Among the many important radiobiological findings recently summarised¹ are the following: the mutation rate depends on sex, on the type of germ cell irradiated, on radiation quality (X rays, neutrons), on dose rate (rad min⁻¹), on fractionation (number of treatments during a certain period) and on total dose.