ABSTRACT
While toxicology is the science that focuses on the adverse effects of biologically active substances, its sister science,
pharmacology
,
focuses instead on the potential therapeutic benefits that can be derived from deliberate administration of those substances. In fact, these two sciences are opposite sides of the same coin, applying the same basic tools and techniques to understanding the impact of xenobiotic chemicals on body functions. Indeed, toxicologists play a major role in the discovery, development, and testing of both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
