genetically significant dose (GSD) /jənet″iklē/ , 1. an arbitrary measure of the estimated annual gonadal radiation received by the population gene pool. In the United States the estimated GSD is 20 mrad. The figure is not intended to suggest possible genetic effects of exposure to that level of radiation. 2. an estimate of the genetic significance of gonad radiation doses, which takes into account the number of offspring expected for each individual on the basis of age and sex.
