David J. Kirkland - Böcker

This volume provides a brief but important summary of the essential tests that need to be performed on all new compounds, whether they be new drugs, pesticides or food additives, before they can be registered for use in the United Kingdom. These basic tests for mutagenicity were originally drawn up by the United Kingdom Environmental Mutagen Society (UKEMS) in 1983. They have now been fully revised by expert working groups from academia and industry under the auspices of UKEMS.

This rigorous and practical account of the interpretation of mutagenicity test data draws upon the expertise of toxicologists and statisticians. Chemicals, such as drugs, food additives and pesticides, all need careful screening to eliminate potentially mutagenic compounds. Although guidelines exist on the performance of these tests, advice on data evaluation is scarce; this volume provides the statistical background necessary for toxicologists to understand, design and interpret mutagenicity tests. In addition to the nine chapters dealing with the different tests employed, there is an introductory chapter on some of the statistical principles involved, a glossary of useful terms and an appendix providing vital information on the availability of computer software. A large team of contributors and editors working under the auspices of the United Kingdom Environmental Mutagen Society (UKEMS) have contributed a wealth of first-hand experience in compiling this immensely practical book of use to both research and industrial toxicologists.

Originally published in 1993, this volume describes a complementary selection of tests to those described in the companion volume Basic Mutagenicity Tests (Cambridge University Press, 1990). These supplementary tests were used to assess risks of in vitro mutagenicity in those instances where the basic tests were inconclusive. As such, these tests had an important role in the assessment of the safety of compounds, drugs and chemicals. These supplementary test and guidelines, originally drawn up by the United Kingdom Environmental Mutagen Society (UKEMS) were fully revised in this publication to take full account of different regulatory guidelines and scientific advances. This volume will be of value to anyone with aninterest in regulatory affairs, mutagenicity testing and the registration of chemical products in the UK and Europe.

This rigorous and practical account of the interpretation of mutagenicity test data draws upon the expertise of toxicologists and statisticians. Chemicals, such as drugs, food additives and pesticides, all need careful screening to eliminate potentially mutagenic compounds. Although guidelines exist on the performance of these tests, advice on data evaluation is scarce; this volume provides the statistical background necessary for toxicologists to understand, design and interpret mutagenicity tests. In addition to the nine chapters dealing with the different tests employed, there is an introductory chapter on some of the statistical principles involved, a glossary of useful terms and an appendix providing vital information on the availability of computer software. A large team of contributors and editors working under the auspices of the United Kingdom Environmental Mutagen Society (UKEMS) have contributed a wealth of first-hand experience in compiling this immensely practical book of use to both research and industrial toxicologists.