Final answer:
It is true that there is a risk of inducing radiogenic cancer or genetic defects due to radiation exposure. The risk is well understood for high doses, and a linear hypothesis is used for low to moderate doses, assuming a proportional risk. Controversy exists regarding the effects of low radiation doses, with some arguing for potential beneficial effects known as hormesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the medical industry, specifically within the radiation sciences, it is true that there is the possibility of inducing a radiogenic cancer or genetic defect after irradiation. The interference of radiation with cell reproduction can lead to long-term effects such as cancer and genetic defects. High doses of radiation have a well-documented risk of cancer, observed notably in Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, radium dial painters, and, more recently, the Chernobyl accident victims. For low and moderate doses, the risk is generally assumed to be proportional to the dose, known as the linear hypothesis.
Long-term effects, similar to cumulative UV exposure leading to skin cancer, are believed to be cumulative with little self-repair capability in the body. Gamma-rays, which can penetrate the skin, are known to induce DNA alterations that may result in cancer or hereditary diseases. The risk of a genetic defect from a 1 rem exposure is estimated to be around 100 in a million, while cancer risks are also significant but relatively small, with estimates suggesting about 10 cancer deaths per year per million people exposed to 1 rem of radiation.
There is controversy in the estimation of these risks, especially concerning low doses of radiation. Some researchers suggest low levels of exposure may actually have beneficial effects, known as hormesis, which could promote repair mechanisms or cellular adaptation. However, medical professionals and regulatory bodies tend to opt for caution when assessing the risks associated with radiation exposure.