About
Toxicology
Toxicology may be defined as the study of the adverse
effects of chemicals on living organisms. Some 500 years ago the
radical renaissance physician, Paracelsus wrote “All substances are
poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose
differentiates a poison from a remedy”.
In modern times the science of toxicology is of crucial
importance in protecting humans, animals and the environment from
the adverse effects of a myriad of synthetic and natural chemicals
to which they are exposed; whether by deliberate intent or
accident. Mankind is dependent on a wide range of manufactured
chemicals including pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary), other
medical products, agricultural and industrial chemicals. In
addition there are numerous naturally occurring toxins that may
exert serious adverse effects.
Toxicology is the science devoted to understanding the
mechanisms of action that result in toxic effects and studying the
relationship between exposure levels and adverse events, in order to
promote the safe use of chemical substances. Toxicological
disciplines range from clinical toxicology, practised by doctors who
treat patients suffering from toxic effects, following overdoses or
accidental exposures; through pure research directed at elucidating
toxic mechanisms; to regulatory toxicology in which new medical
products and chemicals are tested to provide information enabling
appropriate decisions to be taken about safe doses or exposure
levels.
The research conducted at Sequani is focussed on
safety testing of pharmaceuticals. At the
present time there is no alternative to the use of laboratory
animals for much of this research; although Sequani is actively
involved in the development and routine use of non-animal tests
which replace animals, where this is possible. Toxicological
effects are usually complex in their mechanism of action and it is
not yet possible to mimic the complex interactions which occur
between different mammalian biological systems without the carefully
controlled use of laboratory animals.
Sequani’s use of animals is subject to stringent ethical
review and we are fully committed to the principles of the 3 Rs:
Reduction (of the number of animals used), Refinement
(implementation of the most humane procedures) and Replacement (of
animals with non-animal alternatives, wherever this becomes
possible).
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