[Environmental mutagenesis].

Mutagen agents may increase the genetic load of human populations by inducing heritable diseases and cancer. The most effective way of protection is prevention: detection of the mutagenic agents and the regulation of their use. The harm occurred can be visualized by mutational monitoring and epidemiology.

The fetal alcohol syndrome: symptoms and pathogenesis.

The symptoms of the fetal alcohol syndrome and their frequency of appearance are described based on 41 reports in the literature and on own observations. Experimental evidence is presented proving the lack of cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and teratogenicity of alcohol itself and the intensive cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and teratogenicity of acetaldehyde. Responsibility for the fetal alcohol syndrome is ascribed to acetaldehyde at maternal blood concentrations surpassing 35 micrometer and it is suggested that the raised acetaldehyde level is due to an inherited or acquired defect of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase.