Chemical Mutagenesis

Abstract

Whereas the hazards of ionizing radiation for the human genetic material have been recognized early, the danger of chemical mutagenesis attracted attention only recently. The human environment is being contaminated with chemical compounds, whose influence on the genetic material is only insufficiently known. Research in chemical mutagenesis has been undertaken in view of eliminating such hazards. In this review a short account on molecular mechanisms of chemical mutagenesis is given as an introduction. Testing systems available to assess mutagenic activities in many different organisms from viruses to man are then described. 

Many chemicals – in most cases drugs – have been tested in such systems. Some of the results are presented. Emphasis is then placed on chemicals of generalized use, like food contaminants, where whole populations are exposed to possibly noxious compounds. Whereas in the case of drugs with known strong mutagenic activity precautions are possible in order to diminish the genetic danger for possible offspring, this might be impossible for environmental pollutants. In many cases a connection between mutagenic and carcinogenic activity of a given compound exists. Mutagenic substances are therefore suspected of being also carcinogenic. At least the available experimental evidence points in this direction. 

The main problem of mutagenicity testing lies in the extrapolation of the results from animals to man. In this context the need for more research into the fundamental biochemical processes of uptake, distribution, metabolism, excretion and molecular mechanisms of genetic activity is obvious. For only a thorough understanding of chemical mutagenesis will lead to the complete elimination of dangerous substances from our environment.