Genotypic toxicity: implications for individuals and populations.

The goals of genetic ecotoxicology are discussed and redefined. New directions in which genotoxicity "effect" studies might be pursued are outlined. Recognition of the genotoxic disease syndrome in lower animals suggests that more attention should be given to exploring the relationships between DNA damage (adduct formation, gene mutations, etc.) and its manifestation at the level of individuals. Within a given population, not all individuals are equally susceptible to pollutant toxicity (including genotoxicity). It is proposed therefore, that more attention be paid to identifying the factors underlying interindividual variability in susceptibility. Examples are provided of specific cases in which differences in susceptibility to pollutants have been directly related to genotypic predisposition. This approach is also advocated for investigating the individual and population level consequences of genotoxic damage. The possibility of using phenotypic traits to recognise subsets of individuals within populations possessing similar genotypes is discussed.