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Revision of the OECD Genetox Test Guidelines
Citation:
van Benthem, J., N. Delure, G. Douglas, E. Lorge, M. Moore, R. Schoeny, T. Singer, AND V. Thybaud. Revision of the OECD Genetox Test Guidelines. Presented at European Environmental Mutagen Society, September 16 - 20, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
This is the abstract of a presentation given at the European Environmental Mutagen Society meeting. OECD test guidelines are used globally. This abstract neither describes nor impacts U.S. EPA policy.
Description:
The OECD Test Guidelines (TG) on genetic toxicology were initially prepared and adopted between 1981 and 1986. In 1997 the most commonly used guidelines were updated, and the in vivo UDS test (TG 486) was added. More recently, in 2010 and 2011, two new guidelines were adopted: the in vitro micronucleus test (TG 487) and the gene mutation in transgenic animals (TG 488), respectively. Since the adoption and revision of the original TGs, our views on the importance and interpretation of these tests has evolved, resulting in a much better understanding of the critical steps involved, and the strengths and the weaknesses of the various tests. In March 2010, the 22nd meeting of the Working Group of National Coordinators (WNT) of the OECD approved the project to update the OECD TGs on genotoxicity, with Canada, the Netherlands, France and the USA identified as lead countries. An Expert Working Group (EWG) comprised of international experts was established, and two face-to-face meetings have been held to date. The EWG has recommended the deletion of several TGs, including the assays conducted in yeast and Drosophila It is currently working on revisions to the in vitro TGs for the micronucleus test (TG 487), chromosomal aberration test (TG 473) and gene mutation test (TG 476), as well as the in vivo assays for the mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test (TG 474), the mammalian bone marrow chromosomal aberration test (TG 475), the dominant lethal test (TG 478) and the spermatogonial chromosomal aberration assay (TG 483). A new guideline dedicated to the detection of mutations at the thymidine kinase locus is being prepared. In addition, an update of the Introduction Document for the Genetic Toxicology Test Guidelines has been initiated. This introductory document is intended to provide succinct and useful guidance to users of the TGs. The opinions in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the U.S. EPA.