[Killietalk] acriflavine 2

["Bruce J. Turner, Dept. Biological Sciences, VPISU, Blacksburg, VA 24061" <fishgen at vt_edu>]

Brian Watters wrote:

"I also tend to avoid using Acriflavine because of an experience I had some
years ago with mutations that I feel sure were caused by the excessive use
of this dye. I have also heard from others who have had similar experiences.
A few years ago, I related this experience on KillieTalk so some of you will
probably remember it. However, for the benefit of those who do not, or are
new to this forum, I will copy it below:..."

Brian's observations make sense.  The kinds of developmental effects he 
describes are usually thought of as 
"teratomas" and agents which cause them are "teratogens"  (The distinction 
from "mutations" is that the effects 
are seldom inherited).  Thalidomide is a classic teratogen.  There is a good 
correlation (though not a perfect ha
one) among those agents which are mutagens, teratogens and carcinogens.  The 
observation that acriflavine is a 
teratogen suggests that it is potentially dangerous to handle without serious 
safety precautions.  Perhaps 
unfortunately for me, before all this was known I used large amounts of 
acriflavine as both a fungicide in my 
fishroom and as a histological stain (it makes a great UV-fluorescent DNA 
stain that really is a bit easier to 
handle than the standard Feulgen reagent).  Both of my children have left the 
nest, and while they each have 
their problems, neither is an obvious "mutant."  But I may yet get my 
comeuppance.  The agents we threw 
around the lab in large quantities in the 60's and 70's, with little regard 
for their potential dangers, now would  
make my hair stand on end, if I had any left..!

Join the AKA at http://aka.org/modules/tinycontent0/index.php?id=9
Archives are at http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/
Modify your subscription at http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/killietalk