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Evolution of Social Concerns and Environmental Policies for Chemical Mutagens
Author(s) -
Prival Michael J.,
Dellarco Vicki L.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
environmental and molecular mutagenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1098-2280
pISSN - 0893-6692
DOI - 10.1002/em.2850140611
Subject(s) - mutagen , biology , carcinogen , genetics , mutagenesis , toxicology , mutation , gene
The founding of the Environmental Mutagen Society 20 years ago coincided with the beginning of general social concern about exposure to chemical mutagens. Initially, this concern focused on the potential of chemicals to induce heritable genetic damage in humans. Within a few years, however, mutagenicity tests came to be regarded primarily as short‐term tests for carcinogenicity. Serious doubts have recently been cast upon the relationship between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, and, as a result the real utility of mutagenicity tests is being questioned. Justification for the continued use of these tests will require (1) more detailed mechanistic knowledge concerning the role of genetic changes in the development of cancer and (2) an improved ability to relate the results of mutagenicity tests to the potential for inducing heritable genetic effects in humans.