Which population is considered to bear the greatest genetic risk of radiation exposure?

The population that bears the greatest genetic risk of radiation exposure is females. This is primarily because females tend to have a higher lifetime risk of developing cancer due to their reproductive biology. The ovaries, which produce eggs, are particularly sensitive to radiation exposure, especially during periods of development and maturation. As a result, the potential for damage to genetic material in these cells can lead to increased risks of hereditary effects and genetic mutations.

Furthermore, when considering long-term health effects, including genetic mutations that can be passed on to offspring, females have a more significant role. Not only do they carry and nurture the next generation during pregnancy, but damage to their reproductive cells can have repercussions that affect future generations.

In comparison, while children as a group are also sensitive due to their developing tissues and longer potential life span, the specific reproductive risks associated with females put them at a heightened genetic risk from radiation exposure. Therefore, acknowledging the biological and genetic implications helps clarify why females are recognized as the population with the greatest genetic risk in the context of radiation exposure.