Laboratory of Environmental Mutagenesis: Summary Statement

The primary objective of the Institute's program in mutagenesis is focused on evaluation and definition of risks to both human somatic and germinal tissue resulting from exposure to genetically active environmental chemicals. The Laboratory of Environmental Mutagenesis was organized late in FY 1972. Because of the worldwide shortage of resources for the rapid development of research in various problem areas associated with environmental mutagenesis, staff members have used a variety of approaches to accomplish its objective. These include: (1) Development of an intramural research program divided into eight main areas. Work on particular projects has been carried out by different mechanisms: in-house research by staff scientists, support of work at other institutions in the collaborative research program with staff scientists as project officers, and developing an announcement in collaboration with the extramural program office to solicit grant proposals in specific emphasis areas of environmental mutagenesis. (2) Development of a coordinated national program in environmental mutagenesis. A variety of mechanisms have been initiated, including: participation in the DHEW Subcommittee on Environmental Mutagenesis (SEM), developing workshops and conferences in special emphasis areas, developing collaborative programs with other institutes within NIH and with other agencies, developing programs within the Environmental Mutagen Society in which staff members serve as officers, councillors, or members, and developing collaborative studies on genetically active environmental chemicals to rapidly develop a data base to assist in evaluating the risk of exposure to man. (3) Development of better communication and coordination at the international level. Staff members are associated with several international programs, including a U.S.-U.S.S.R. Environmental Protection Agreement, participation in international workshops and conferences, collaboration with IARC (Lyon) on the mutagenicity of chemical carcinogens. (4) Development of better mechanisms for information exchange, including support of the Environmental Mutagen Information Center (EMIC) and serving as associate editor or members of the editorial board on journals which publish research in the area of environmental mutagenesis (5) Development of better mechanisms for training young scientists for research careers in environmental mutagenesis at the predoctoral level and the postdoctoral level.