Morphological Abnormalities in Experimental Teratology: Need for a Standardization of the Current Terminology

Abstract

AbstractThe teratologist's main ethical aim in experimental procedures is to analyse specimens thoroughly so as to bring to light any potential adverse effects of the agent being tested after contact with the maternal organism. The results must be pondered, organized and expressed using agreed technical terms whose purpose is to reflect the exact scientific meaning of the findings. The analytical review must then be summarized, so as to present a clear but concise picture that is easily interpreted. However, there are many sources of differences between laboratories: the depth in which they analyse specimens and the weight they attribute to each finding; the way they organize and classify findings and – last but not least – the terms they use to describe them. All these factors may in the end influence judgements of the severity of an effect observed. Thus findings from different organisations are not always comparable. Considering, therefore, that most major laboratories and their staff have built up long years of experience, the time has surely come to seek some form of Operative and Co‐Operative standardization. This would not only assure the quality of work done everywhere, but also reach the aim, through uniformity of technical terminology, of a better understanding among non‐teratologists and easier agreement among teratologists.