Mechanisms to stimulate research on assay systems to detect aneuploidy

The present database on the induction of aneuploidy is inadequate to make comparisons between effects on lower eukaryotic and higher eukaryotic organisms. There is also an urgent need to develop new assays to detect the induction of aneuploidy in animals, as well as assays in lower eukaryotic organisms which can be used in mass-screening programs. The development of chemical and data repositories of chemicals that induce aneuploidy with known activity is proposed as a mechanism to stimulate research in this area. An efficient mechanism to develop a comprehensive database on particular assay systems and a defined set of chemicals is an international Collaborative Trial developed under and sponsored by the International Program on Chemical Safety at the World Health Organization. IPCS is sponsored by voluntary contributions from those member countries who consider such collaborative studies of importance for the development of methodology that can be used to evaluate the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of environmental chemicals. Exposure to natural and manmade chemicals can be unique, and member countries cannot necessarily assume that chemicals to which native populations will be exposed will be tested elsewhere. The development of an International Collaborative Trial on chemicals that induce aneuploidy and a wide range of eukaryotic assay systems provide an excellent mechanism for the development of a comprehensive database. Within 2-3 years these new data could help to resolve some of the numerous questions that have arisen during the course of the research presented in this Volume.