Overview
Toxicology screening is a process used to identify the potential toxicity of a substance or chemical through in vitro (examining a process outside of a living organism) tests. It is an important tool to evaluate the safety of new drugs and chemicals, as well as to determine if they could be harmful to humans, animals or the environment. In vitro toxicology tests can be used to efficiently identify potential toxic effects, saving time and money when compared to in vivo (examining a process within a living organism) tests. This method is used to measure the effects of a chemical on cell cultures or cell-free systems, such as isolated cells, tissues or biochemical assays, which may provide information on the toxicity of a substance before it is tested in humans or animals. Toxicology screening can help inform decisions on the safety of a chemical and is essential for the development of new drugs and products.