Measurement of Chromosome Aberrations In Vitro Using Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Chromosomal aberrations are implicated in the induction of both cancer and birth defects (1 ,2 ). The types of aberration that cause human disease are usually subtle rearrangements, e.g., reciprocal exchanges, which are not cell lethal. These are frequently difficult to detect microscopically but their presence is indicated by the appearance of more gross structural damage, e.g., deletions. Although these may be of less biological significance because they are rarely survivable for more than a few divisions, they are easier to detect.