BETTER SCIENCE MAKES FOR BETTER DECISIONS

摘要

An understanding of the basic mechanisms of fundamental processes is considered essential in traditional toxicology. Although this objective is viewed as highly desirable in environmental toxicology and chemistry, often it is not considered essential in addressing immediate environmental concerns with the limited time and budgetary support typically available to find solutions. Under those circumstances, the response to statements such as "A more basic understanding of toxicological and chemical processes is needed to provide a meaningful answer" is often, "Why?" In the past, and too frequently in the present, empirical observations from standardized tests have been used in assessing and regulating our environment. These findings have pointed the way to theories that we hope will help us to understand the impacts of chemicals and technology on the environment. Advances in technologies and ancillary hypotheses from the fields of ecology, physiology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental engineering, however, bring into question some of the conclusions made from these empirical findings.