Genetic effects of benzene in Drosophila melanogaster males.

Abstract

Benzene is one of the few chemicals which induces chromosomal aberrations but does not induce point mutations. The most sensitive end point in Drosophila, sex-linked recessive lethal mutations, however, has not yet been studied. Information on induction of heritable translocations and crossing-over is also not yet available for this compound in Drosophila. Experiments were therefore undertaken to investigate benzene induced sex-linked recessive lethal mutations, heritable translocations, and crossing-over in Drosophila males.