I didn't say it alters the genetics, it merely does it's thing at the genetic level. What I think I remember reading is that it interferes with the expression of the gene/s responsible for the developement of specific hormones. It was a while back when I read it and I'll try to find it when I get a chance, but you could google CS or spell it out and maybe find it as easy as I could. I found it while researching articles about CS when I was first interested in making seed from strains that were "cutting only" availability.
It can stress the plant if not used properly and even kill it...I've done it when I wanted the whole plant to produce pollen...doing the same to just a branch would've killed just that branch, when I used too much and it was toxic to the plant. But, when used properly, it just blocks the signal to create hormones and isn't stressfull to the plant. Using too much CS is no different than using too much fertilizer and you can see it happen soon enough to correct it. As much the same way as you see burning in the tips of your leaves when you have excessive nutes and back off, sometimes flushing your pots if in soil, with excessive CS the leaves will start to wilt and you can remedy that by spraying with water to wash off the silver. I've only made seed this way a few times so there may be other issues that could crop up but, "live and learn"! lol