Cytological Methods for Detecting Chemical Mutagens

Chemical agents that induce mutations at specific loci in a eukaryote genome invariably also produce cytologically recognizable chromosome damage expressed as structural changes or “aberrations.” Moreover, many, and perhaps the majority, of the mutations induced in mammalian cell systems and detected through an alteration or loss of a given protein are associated with a visible cytological change involving the locus in question. In considering the possible action of chemical mutagens on man, it is important therefore to realize that spontaneous mutations in the form of chromosome aberrations(1)comprise a major part of man’s genetic burden; that certain of these aberrations are transmitted from generation to generation; and, as revealed from studies on laboratory animals, that the incidence of such aberrations must be increased on exposure of germ cells to mutagens.