There are a number of areas in toxicological research in which the future use of in vitro-methods appears quite feasible. In the following, the different areas of toxicological research shall be discussed individually, with respect to the feasibility as well as to the pros and cons of using in vitro methods. 3.4.1.Studies on acute toxicity With the present strategy, replacement by in vitro studies is not possible. Presently not assessable with in vitro methods are oto- and ocular toxicity, as well as disturbance of peripheral nerve function and certain CNS abnormalities. Chronic toxicity studies can be supplemented, not replaced by in vitro techniques.
All systems use connective tissue cells.
In vitro techniques are only available for evaluating substance-induced effects during short periods of prenatal development, and no assessment of postnatal developmental changes can be achieved with in vitro methods. This topic will be dealt with in another presentation at this symposium. In vitro methods already have their establishes place in pharmacological or toxicological studies. They can altogether be considered as extremely valuable in supplementing in vivo testing, but cannot, even in the long run, replace it completely, unless a dramatic reduction in safety considerations is accepted. Restrictive laws in some countries will inevitable shift the necessary in vivo testing to other countries.