The most important results of systematic studies in self-poisoning individuals over the last 20 years are summarized. Trichlorfon & diazepam caused a higher rate of aneuploidy in peripheral lymphocytes. The frequency of chromatid aberrations was lower in self-poisoned pregnant women than in self-poisoned non-pregnant women, suggesting a possible protective effect of pregnancy. Intrauterine growth retardation was found in children born after self-poisoning. (24 refs.)