This is a really terrible description for this article. The term "mutant" simply means that it is a strain with altered genetic material. A mutation is not ne

This is a really terrible description for this article. The term "mutant" simply means that it is a strain with altered genetic material. A mutation is not necessarily detrimental, and it doesn't mean that it will glow green, or sprout legs, and it certainly doesn't carry any radiation. Mutants are extremely useful for a variety of reasons, mostly for doing genetic studies. Obviously, the best way of producing mutants is to irradiate wild-type strains. (I'm working on a PhD in the biomedical sciences)