The Mouse in Safety Evaluation

Abstract

Several recent publications have reviewed the history, rationale and experience concerning the use of mice as a test species in oncogenicity bioassay programs. Conclusions from three of these publications will be discussed: The Report of the International Expert Advisory Committee on the Relevance of Mouse Liver Hepatoma to Human Carcinogenic Risk (from the Nutrition Foundation), the Report of the NTP Ad Hoc Panel on Chemical Carcinogenesis Testing and Evaluation (from the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Toxicology Program), and Chemical Carcinogens: Review of the Science and its Associated Principles (from the Office of Science and Technology Policy). Using the recommendations from these and other groups regarding modification of the current testing protocols and alternative approaches to evaluating the adverse health effects of long-term, low-level exposure to environmental chemicals, an effort will be made to predict some future developments in this area of toxicology.