A survey of genetic toxicology testing in industry, contract laboratories and government

Genetic Toxicology Association members from governmental, contract and industrial laboratories were surveyed to determine the status of 28 recognized genetic toxicology assays in their laboratories. Compiled results of the 1982 questionnaire indicate that the Ames test, in vitro cytogenetics, in vitro sister chromatid exchange, unscheduled DNA synthesis, mutation in Chinese hamster ovary cells at the HGPRT locus, and in vivo bone marrow assays were the most frequently performed routine tests by the majority of laboratory affiliations. Investigation of the number of transformation assays performed indicated a high routine use. However, their use was largely confined to contract laboratories. Volume analysis of chemicals tested for 1982 indicated: (i) contract laboratories studied the largest number of compounds over the broadest spectrum of assays; (ii) industrial laboratories processed more compounds in the Ames test than any other laboratory group; and (iii) governmental laboratories ranked lowest in numbers of compounds evaluated both in-house and/or subcontracted .