Further, I don’t see any indication of the plants being scientifically studied. That is, is it possible that only 10% lived long enough to be studied, and the 10% remaining are merely the same 10% which always have these characteristics? Of course, such would be a perfect example of “survival of the fittest” and presumably next generations would show the same characteristics whether grown in radiation or not.
Further still, if the plants already do “this” then why the need to genetically alter? This seems like a presumption, not a conclusion. If there *is* the effect indicated, then subsequent breeding in a radioactive environment is all that should be needed.

One last little thing. This idea of space travelers needing to grow food. How far out into fantasy compared to the nitty-gritty of real-life radioactive pollution! I think it would have been better to note that there are people *living* within the Zone, that their poverty is so bad, they’ve gone home and live in the radiation, waiting to die, yes, but of old age, not radiation. Probably living in constant lowered resistance, etc, maybe usually sick, but at least, to them, they feel happy to have a home.