ABSTRACT
Genetic toxicology, unlike other disciplines in toxicology, does not study a specific
adverse health effect. Rather, potential genotoxic effects are evaluated because they are
considered important prequelae to the development of adverse health effects, such as
cancer. Additionally, the induction of mutations in germinal cells can result in increased
frequencies of genetic diseases or even the introduction of new genetic diseases into the
human gene pool. It has also been suggested, although perhaps not proven, that somatic
cell mutation is also important in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaques and may be the
basis for the aging process. A number of short-term test systems are available for
assessment of genetic hazard. These systems are often categorized by the endpoints that
they measure: gene mutation, chromosome damage, or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
damage. It is the close association of these well-characterized and easily quantified
endpoints with known mechanisms of oncogene activation or loss of tumor suppressor
gene function that places such importance on genotoxicity testing. Thus, short-term
genetic toxicology tests may be used to identify chemicals that require further testing in
long-term animal systems as well as provide support for the evaluation and interpretation
of carcinogenicity findings from these animal systems.
