Principles of Genetic Toxicology

Genetic toxicology is the study of damages to the genes by chemical or physical agents. The development of genetic toxicology, both for testing and research, has been closely associated with advances in genetics. Early genetic toxicology tests were developed based on classic microbial, Drosophila, and somatic cell genetics and cytogenetics. In vivo mammalian tests were developed from rodent reproductive studies. Many tests were validated in the past 20 years, and those judged reliable for the detection of mutagens have become standardized routine tests. Recent advances in recombinant DNA and transgenic animal technologies have initiated developments of new tests for changes at the molecular level and for gene mutations in vivo. Since many validated tests can reliably detect mutagens, the usefulness of these new tests is dependent on their ability to identify carcinogens. This chapter is focused on the role of genetic toxicology in cancer and genetic risk assessment.