How do we know something causes cancer? Aren’t there essentially infinite variables it would be impossible to control for?
In: 40
Ames test. This is the test developed specifically to test for the mutagenic properties of various chemicals. In essence you expose bacteria to a chemical in question. Now bacteria are grown on a media (gel like substance) that normally does not support their growth. However if the chemical is carcinogenic (cancer causing) it will mutate bacterial DNA and, more likely than not, it will allow bacteria to acquire a phenotype that will allow them to live on that media.
Colonies present = substance is likely to be carcinogenic
No colonies present = unlikely to cause mutation and this cancer.
Plus, like other people said, lots of other evidence.
Edit: spelling
Latest Answers