[Modification of hereditary and non-hereditary variations by antimutagens]

A new approach has been worked out to access negative effects of environmental pollution on the genetic system based both on hereditary (mutational) and non-hereditary (modification) changes, as reflected by generational and regulatory disorder of a genome. The results of the authors' own experiments on different plants and Drosophila, studying the influence of mutagenic and antimutagenic factors on the extent of chromosomal aberrations, gene mutation, and variable asymmetry (the latter as a non-hereditary variation) have been presented. A rationale has been provided for that there are possibilities of concurrent antimutagenic inhibition of mutations and modifications induced by chemical mutagens (alkylating agents). The findings open up a new perspective for antimutagenic correction of both generational and regulatory genetic disorders caused by environmental pollutants.