Genetic Effects of Radiation

["Mcelrath Susan S." <MCELRATHS@rscpo1.wilm.ge.com>]

In the most recent National Geographic there is an article on the A-bombings 
in Japan. It was interesting to note that the article said (my paraphrase) 
A-bomb survivors were discriminated against occupationally (bad health, risk 
of cancer) and "socially" due to the fear of genetic effects in offspring if 
a spouse is an A-bomb survivor. The article even went on to say families of 
engaged couples sometimes hired private investigators to find out if their 
future in-laws were A-bomb survivors.

I wonder if the populations studied for genetic effects of ionizing 
radiation were smaller than normal because A-bomb survivors didn't produce 
offspring at a normal rate - not because of physical damage, but because 
they couldn't find a willing mate. I don't see the issue specifically 
addressed in BEIR V. (If it is and I missed it please enlighten me.) Could 
it be there were only a few isolated incidents of "social" discrimination so 
it wasn't a significant factor?, or is this a new twist on the way genetic 
effects are studied?