ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION The regulatory genetic toxicology tests are a series of well-defined mutagenicity tests designed to detect chemical and physical agents capable of inducing mutations. Mutation is defined as a DNA sequence change that leads to inheritable alteration of gene function. Agents that change DNA sequence are “toxic” to the gene, and thus designated as “genotoxic.” Because mutations are often associated with cancers and birth defects, the two most fearsome human diseases, the genotoxicity of a commercial or environmental chemical is critical information for regulatory agencies for the assessment of human risks.
