Search This Blog

Tuesday 7 April 2015

What is toxicology?

Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on living organisms and environment. This branch of science has evolved from simple descriptive study of adverse effects to the study of  molecular interaction upon exposure to exogenous agents using the most sophisticated state-of-art technology. Modern toxicology continues to build on and expand by integrating knowledge from biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

The main aim of toxicology is to protect humans and the environment form the deleterious effects of hazardous agent. Indeed, toxicology has led to the development of clinical drugs such as anti-cancer agent and pesticides based on the selective toxicity towards the respective organisms. The advancement of toxicology has also partly contribute to the employment of chemicals that are highly toxic as weapons of mass destruction. These deadly toxic chemicals are used in warfare and even in terrorism!