title: A rational approach to decision making in toxicology.
abstract: The application of the Kepner-Tregoe (C. H. Kepner and B. B. Tregoe, 1981, The New Rational Manager, Princeton Res. Press, Princeton, N. J.) problem solving technique to the evaluation and interpretation of toxicological information is described. Data from a chronic study provide an illustrative example. In this study an excess in the number of urinary bladder neoplasms was observed in male rats exposed to diets containing the test chemical. No similar effect was seen in treated female rats. Both male and female mice exposed to treatment also exhibited no effect. Whether treatment was the cause of the observed increase should be based on all the scientific and technical information that is relevant to this decision. The Kepner-Tregoe method of problem analysis captures this information in a framework that makes it easily understood. This is especially desirable if the judgments that are a vital part of regulatory decision making are to be adequately communicated.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011340:Problem Solving; D051381:Rats; D014116:Toxicology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens