Hi, I'm a high school student who has to run a self-designed lab.

 

I'm supposed to see the affects of a carcinogen on a living organism. In this lab, there has to be 5 increments/ manipulated variables (cannot be time) and three responding variables. It's also preferable that it doesn't take too long to do, maybe MAX 1 + 1/2 weeks.

However, I'm having trouble thinking of ideas.

 

1) The carcinogen : What can I use that is (relatively) safe and accessible?

 

I do not have access to many chemicals (unless i make it myself), and even then I'm afraid that too much exposure can lead to some health problems.

I considered radiation, but I'll need strong ones, like gamma or UV to make much of a difference, so I'm not sure about that either.

 

2) The organism : Well, I can't take really expose a human being or animals to something that can cause cancer (unless I find some small things, like ants). I was considering plants or fungus, but that might take too long, and it'll have to depend on the lab.

 

If anyone could help, I'd be really grateful, thanks.

1) It is going to depend on what organism you are using, and of course, none of them are truly safe. They are carcinogens. Generally I would go for UV (which is easier to handle, if one does not have a training with hazardous chemicals. This can easily be used on e.g. E. coli.