Self-Poisoning as a Model for the Study of the Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Human Beings

This study analyzed people who attempted suicide by poison in order to ascertain mutagenic effects of drugs. Demographic data of global completed & attempted suicide cases are presented. The methodology of short-term & long-term germinal mutagenesis systems are described. The advantages & disadvantages of this human experimental epidemiological model are discussed, pointing out the practical & theoretical importance of the approach. (25 refs) (SC)