1984 survey of genetic toxicology testing in industry, government and academic laboratories

Complied results of the 1984 Genetic Toxicology Association's survey representing a total of 72 responses from governmental, contract, industrial, or academic institutions regarding the status of 32 recognized genetic toxicology assays, were as follows: 1 Most frequently performed on a routine or occasional basis: Ames (76% of all respondents routinely or occasionally perform the assay); in vitro cytogenetics (59%); in vivo Bone Marrow Cytogenetics (56%); in vitro Sister Chromatid Exchange (56%); in vitro Unschedled DNA Synthesis (43%); Mutation in CHO HGPRT (42%); Micronucleus test (41%); Mutation in L5178Y (36%). 2 Assay associated with in vivo and in vitro chromosomal end points (aberrations, SCE, micronucleus) constituted the major area of increased use since the 1982 survey. 3 Assays of developmental interest included DNAS binding both in vitro and in vivo and UDS in vivo. Quantitative analysis of the data indicated: 1 Industrial and contract laboratories processed the largest volumes of chemicals over the broadest spectrum of assays. 2 Industrtial laboratories showed a marked increased since 1982 in testing compounds in‐house. 3 The number of assays sponsored by governmental laboratories, both in‐house or subcontracted, increased from 1982. 4 Academic institutions ranked lowest in number of compounds examined.